We crave nothing more than a cold and snuggly holiday season where we can walk in a winter wonderland, catch snow on our eyelashes, enjoy magical evenings with a sky full of stars and have mountains to stare at for hours. It’s no surprise why Vail is considered one of America’s favorite winter getaways – it really does transform into a dazzling winter wonderland.
We stayed at the iconic Tivoli Lodge in the heart of Vail Village and to say that it was breathtaking is an understatement. As soon as you walk in, you feel as if you’re in a charming European ski town straight out of a Christmas card. And our room – WOW – imagine waking up to a beautiful landscape of snow-capped mountains, cool breeze to rosy up your cheeks and front row seats to skiers and snowboarders coming down the mountain.
Aside from the incredible ski resorts in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, both Vail Village and the neighboring Lionshead Village have that European charm with cobblestone streets lined up with amazing restaurants, shopping, breweries (perfect to après ski), and lovely cafes serving much-desired hot chocolate while cozying up next to a fireplace. I can’t help but hum Michael Buble’s Cold December Night with a grin from ear to ear. Our favorites were Lancelot for a killer prime rib, La Bottega for delectable Italian food and load up on carbs for a ski-filled day, Mountain Standard for a snazzy, low-key lunch on the creek and Vintage perfect for a boozy brunch or charcuterie. And as a beer aficionado, I can’t help but mention that Colorado in general is home to one of the best craft beer scenes in the U.S. Make sure to visit Vail Brewing Company for their hazy IPA and 7 Hermits Brewing Company.
After a few days in Vail, we were ready to continue exploring. We all hopped in the car and drove up to our first stop, about 20 minutes in, to Beaver Creek for more village strolling. We then continued on to Snowmass Village, which we absolutely adored, until we made it to Aspen. In total, it’s about a 2 hour drive, but between all of the beautiful, idyllic villages and majestic landscapes, you hardly notice.
We definitely didn’t just send a holiday card this year – we experienced one!
