If you’re a fan of alpine ski racing, you need to be in the Vail Valley at Beaver Creek and Vail for the FIS World Cup event February 2–15. Here’s how to do it right.
EAT
Vail: If, for some reason, you want to get away from the crowds packing into Championship Plaza for the opening and medals ceremonies (and the free concerts), head down to Lionshead and check out The Tavern on the Square at the Arrabelle. Executive Chef Douglass Dodd provides a range of dishes from casual to upscale for breakfast, lunch, après and dinner. arrabelle.rockresorts.com
Beaver Creek: While it’s great news that The Osprey Hotel—which is renowned for its fine dining, and friendly, service oriented staff—has rearranged its lounge and dining area, the truly exciting news this year is the new $10 breakfast burrito and hot drink the hotel is offering from 7-10 a.m. outside right next to the Strawberry Park Chair Lift. That will certainly fuel you up for the day. Eat it there with other burrito breakfasteers or see if you can get it all down while you are on line and riding the lift. ospreyatbeavercreek.rockresorts.com
SLEEP
Vail: Equidistant from Gondola One and Championship Plaza in Vail Village, The Lodge at Vail underwent substantial renovations throughout the entire building this past fall. The 52-year-old lodge has been updated to include all the modern amenities we wish other lodging had (think USB plugs by the bed). Without leaving the building, hit up Elway’s Colorado Steakhouse with food from hardy burgers to South African Lobster Tail. Finish at the lodge’s intimate spa for an incredible après relaxation treatment. lodgeatvail.rockresorts.com
Beaver Creek: Ranked in the top five best resorts in the west by Condé Nast Traveler readers, The Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa sits right at the base of the Riverfront Express Gondola with easy access to the mountain and truly embodies the Beaver Creek slogan “not exactly roughing it.” Check out the new “Mikaela Shiffrin Way” ski package (Mikaela is The Westin’s resident Olympic gold medalist) including a private ski conditioning training session and, among other things, dinner at the new Maya, a modern mexican restaurant run by Chef Richard Sandoval, which overlooks the slopes. westinriverfrontbeavercreek.com
PLAY
Aside from the endless entertainment the FIS Alpine World Championships will provide, check out the RMX Skijoring in Minturn over the noon hour on Thursday February 5 along with the free concerts with Michael Franti & Spearhead on February 3, American Authors on February 6 and Phillip Phillips on February 12. Oh, and don’t forget to go skiing or snowboarding yourself. You’re in Vail and Beaver Creek after all.
