When a mom plans a long Presidents Day weekend getaway with her daughters, she considers a variety of factors.
Does the destination have enough fun things to occupy everyone the whole time? Is it inviting to kids? Do the restaurants offer more than chicken nuggets and grilled cheese? Can Mom find a place to hide and read People magazine in peace for 15 minutes without anyone poking an eye out?
Colorado has more than its fair share of possibilities, but go ahead, see if Vail fits.
Check, check, check, check.
When that mom happens to be the wife of the president of the United States, the criteria shouldn’t change a lot. Sure, there’s the consideration of where all those Secret Service people will hang their earpieces, but otherwise, the same questions might apply.
That’s why it wasn’t much of a surprise that first lady Michelle Obama chose the largest single-mountain ski area in the United States for what Obama’s spokeswoman, Katie McCormick-Lelyveld, confirmed was a “private family trip” last weekend. Obama and the first daughters, Malia, 12, and Sasha, 9, along with family friends, stayed at the new Sebastian Hotel.
The Sebastian, a Timbers Resort and Residence Club, is just one of several recently opened properties around town. Vail has had a bit of a growth spurt since the summer, gaining multiple residence clubs, including the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail and the Solaris residences and entertainment complex — both in Vail Village — and the Ritz-Carlton Residences on the western end of Lionshead. In addition, sushi restaurant Yama opened in September on Gore Creek Drive.
The additions bring 305 residences and 100 hotel rooms, as well as eight new eateries, to the valley.
But wait, there’s more. Ever Vail, still in the planning stages, is a $1.5 billion project scheduled for an 11-acre site in West Lionshead at the base of Vail Mountain. The plan calls for a mixed-use space to include a RockResorts hotel, residences, offices, retail shops, restaurants, a parking garage, gondola and public plaza.
“It’s a testament to the commitment we have to our mountains, when other areas may have been forced to pull back, that we continued to push forward,” says Vail spokeswoman Liz Biebl. “Did we ever hit a speed bump, when the economy was bad? Yes. When you look back at that time period, we still had cranes up all over town, but we persevered.”
The cranes have indeed come down — at least until work starts on Ever Vail — and locals and out-of- towners alike are getting to know such attractions as CineBistro, the new movie theater/restaurant at Solaris, and the hip, aptly named Bol, where Brooks Keith and his daughter Katie are bowling their first game.
“We’re having a daddy-daughter afternoon,” Keith says. “My wife and our other daughter are going over to the movie theater to spend some time together, which works out perfectly.”
More entertainment options
Keith says the family, which lives in Edwards, was delighted when the entertainment hot spots opened. “We really needed this,” he says. “Yeah, it’s not the cheapest thing, but look where we are. But it was so necessary. And look how fun it is.”
He nods toward Katie, who has just gone to the lane to throw another ball. She grins and claps, and then comes back to the spacious seating area to snack on some house-made potato chips while she waits for her next turn. “Sometimes I don’t want to do anything outside,” she says.
Mark Christie, who greets out-of- towners and shares information along with popular ambassador Buddy the dog at the Vail Visitor Information Center, has run into his fair share of Katie Keiths.
“In the past, when it was raining or the weather was bad, what could I say? Now I can say, go bowling, go to the movies,” Christie says. “These were great additions to the scene.”
Vail Resorts also put money into on-mountain improvements, replacing the legendary High Noon lift — better known as Chair 5 — with a high-speed quad.
The Obamas probably didn’t notice that because they spent most of their time on the easier runs off the Eagle Bahn gondola, but Sasha and Malia did spend one evening with their friends tubing at Adventure Ridge, which was upgraded over the summer. Additional tubing lanes were added along with a new enclosed, elevated lift, which makes getting back up the hill faster, allowing for more downhill time.
The Keiths hadn’t heard that the Obamas were in town, but they said they thought it made sense. “Look at all the options there are here,” Keith says. “They can ski, they can bowl, they can go snowshoeing, they have endless choices of where to go out to eat. And if they don’t want to do any of that, they can just hang out at the hotel in the pool. We haven’t been over there yet, but I’ve heard the Sebastian is beautiful. My wife was going to go over there and just walk around and check it out.”
The Sebastian was indeed a smart pick — it’s quiet, the staff is discreet and professional, and the property, which opened in November, has plenty of space to spread out — or never be seen, if that’s what you desire.
“We have a staff that was already familiar with the workings of this kind of situation, so that was probably a consideration. I think we were also chosen based on our location.” says Ann Lynch, director of sales and marketing for the Sebastian. “But clearly, first and foremost, they chose the destination.”
Kyle Wagner: 303-954-1599, travel@denverpost.com, ,
Ski/snowboard at Vail
Season: through April 24
Information: 970-SKI-VAIL (754-8245);
Terrain: 5,289 acres. 53 percent expert/advanced; 29 percent intermediate; 18 percent beginner. 193 trails, three terrain parks.
Summit: 11,570 feet. Base: 8,120 feet. Vertical: 3,450 feet.
Longest run: 4 miles.
Lifts: one gondola; 17 high-speed quads; one fixed-grip quad; two triples; one double; three surface, six carpets.
Lift tickets: Single-day window price for Vail/Beaver Creek is $108 adult, $72 child (ages 5-12). Online multiday and purchase-ahead ticket prices vary and are on the website.
Lessons: Group and private adult and child lessons are available through Vail Ski School. Prices vary. Call 800-475-4543 or visit for information.Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Vail Insider’s Guide
GET THERE: Vail is about 120 miles west of Denver via Interstate 70 at Exit 176. Most major airlines fly into Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), some nonstop. Vail offers a Fly In, Ski Free program that includes a complimentary same-day lift ticket when you show a boarding pass and confirmation of Vail Valley lodging at a ticket window (for more info, visit ).
GET AROUND: Town of Vail buses are free and run from East Vail to West Vail — including through Vail Village and to Lionshead — from 5:45 a.m. to 2:10 a.m. daily, which will get you within walking distance of the lifts. There also is a Vail/Beaver Creek Ski Shuttle for $5 (children under 12 are buy one, get one free). Many hotels also offer their own private shuttles, as well. Visit for a bus schedule.
STAY
The Sebastian Hotel
The scoop: The welcoming and comfortable Sebastian is a combo boutique lodging and residence property. One- to four-bedroom suites and adjoining rooms are perfect setups for families, and services such as complimentary shuttle service, attentive and plentiful concierges and a superb “Base Camp” ski valet setup at Vista Bahn make it an excellent choice.
Kid friendly: A library filled with games and books has glass walls on two sides, so it’s cozy and inviting but not so secluded that anyone can cause much trouble, and the outdoor heated pool and hot tubs are big enough to move around in. The Market eatery is casual and offers basic foods such as cheese and crackers, peanut butter and jelly and spaghetti with sauce, all of which can be taken back to the rooms.
Adults only: Two of the hot tubs ban those under 16, and the spa and fitness center offer relaxing respites. During the day when kids are on the slopes, the library has the best Wi-Fi. Frost is an inviting lounge that serves tapas-style small plates with live music on weekends.
A few caveats: They seem to be working out some housekeeping issues; we had to ask for things to be replenished and they weren’t particularly detail-oriented. Also, the upscale Block 16 restaurant is outstanding — the halibut with truffle broth is a knockout — but best for families with older children who are more adventurous eaters; otherwise, expect to pay $29 for a plate of plain gnocchi with olive oil.
The basics: Rates start at $484 a night. 16 Vail Road, 970-477-8000,
Dine: Ten to try: CARRYING ON,
Three things to do
Bol
The scoop: Out front, a groovy bar and eatery; in the back, 10 lanes with giant screens displaying music videos and sporting events. The place looks more like a nightclub, and it feels more like one at night.
Kid friendly: Pizza, burgers and pasta with butter are the way to go, and it’s hard to beat a root beer float. Retractable bumpers and metal chutes help keep the super-light balls out of the gutter.
Adults only: Beer is the best value here, drink-wise, and the fun way to eat is grazing on the small plates — things like fresh potato chips, pumpkin fritters and pork buns. Check the website for DJ nights.
A few caveats: They aren’t kidding about the time element, so if you’re a slow bowler, be prepared to be partway through a game and have it shut down. You can buy half-hour increments after the first hour.
The basics: Open 2 p.m.-close Monday-Fri., 11 a.m.-close Sat.-Sun. Cost: $50 per hour per lane for up to six people, $5 shoe rental. 141 E. Meadow Drive, 970-476-5300
CineBistro @ Solaris
The scoop: Why can’t they all be CineBistros? Billed as a restaurant that happens to have a theater offering three first-run movies daily, the food may be primary, but it’s the whole experience that thrills. Service is central, with your order taken within minutes of being escorted to the comfiest of assigned seats (real leather!). The food arrives just as the previews end, and desserts come later. Don’t want to see the movie? It’s also a worthy restaurant/bar.
Kid friendly: “Popcorn” chicken and shrimp (with real popcorn mixed in) with fries and mac-and-cheese with drink included for $9 for the under-12 set, along with the usual movie-type sweets — Milk Duds and Red Vines — and a huge bottomless bowl of popcorn (at $7.50, plan to share).
Adults only: Martinis, mojitos and Moët & Chandon, oh, yeah. The deconstructed peanut butter pie ($10) is decadent and big enough to share.
A few caveats: Do apps or entrees, but not both — there just isn’t time, because it all comes at once and something will get cold. In the theater, a 17.5 percent gratuity is added. Get there 30 minutes before showtime, or you’ll feel rushed, and it helps to look at the menu online ahead.
The basics: Check online for movie times. Cost: Adults $16.50, children $10 141 E. Meadow Drive, 970-476-3344,
Adventure Ridge
The scoop: At the top of Eagle’s Nest (take the Eagle Bahn Gondola) surrounded by stunning views, the whole family can go tubing, snowshoe and ski bike, and kids can hop on downsized snowmobiles.
Kid friendly: Everything here is made for kids, although you have to be an intermediate-and-above skier or snowboarder to ski bike. The tubing hill is multilane, which means some are a little gentler than others, and there’s always music playing. The surface lift is covered, and when everyone gets too cold, it’s time for hot chocolate at the fire pit or snacks inside Bistro Fourteen.
Adults only: There are kids at all of the activities, although most of it will bring out the kid in you, as well.
A few caveats: Bring a helmet for ski biking; they have boots, but yours will be better because they fit just right. If your kid is under 5, you have to tube, too.
The basics: Tubing starts at 2 p.m., with the last at 8 p.m. daily; cost is $28 for an hour. Ski biking starts at 4:45, with the last one at 7 p.m; cost is $65. Snowmobiling runs 3:15-8 p.m.; cost is $25. Free guided snowshoe tours leave from the Nature Discovery Center at 3 p.m. daily. Top of Eagle’s Nest, 970-754-8245, Kyle Wagner
Welcome team
“C’mon, put me to work!” the man on the wagon-towing tricycle called out to people as they trudged along lugging their skis and boards through Vail Village on their way toward the Vista Bahn Express lift that would take them midway up Vail Mountain.
Most of the crowd was stoic, determined to suffer all the way there. But every once in a while, someone would give in, their relief visible — especially the kids — and Minturn resident John Wayne Smith would happily begin the somewhat uphill climb toward the mountain.
This “welcome wagon” of sorts is just one of the many hospitality programs in place through the Vail Visitor Information Center and the Town of Vail, such as council member Kerry Donovan’s idea to have volunteers secretly clean the windshields of vehicles in the garage while folks are out on the mountain — people were assembling to do just that last Saturday — and plying locals for their inside knowledge on everything from the best meals to the powder stashes.
“At any time, there are about 30-some volunteers out there, making sure people get where they want to go,” says Mark Christie, who along with Buddy the dog “mans” the desk at the center. “This is a big place, and when you first get here, it can be overwhelming.”
In addition, the Visitor Center offers a unique last-minute kiosk where out-of-towners can log on to book lodging.
“These deals are only available here,” says center coordinator Bobby Bank. “All of the hotels are hooked up to this extranet site, and the deals are pretty amazing.
For instance, this past week, you could find studio condo units that normally run $675 a night for $472, and $750-a-night two-bedroom units for $500. The site can be reserved less than a week out at the Visitor Center (241 S. Frontage Road), or by calling 970-476-4790 or e-mailing vail@vailinfo.org.
“Basically, the town is trying to have a seamless transition for guests, getting them off the highway and onto the mountain,” Bank says. “Look for the red coats and the name tags; they’re the ones who can point the way.”
Kyle Wagner
