$77 (2005 prices) a day too steep? Want to save some money? Well there ARE a couple of ways, but they are not easy:

 • The SkE Card - This used to be called the Colorado Card. Basically it is targeted at Colorado residents, but as far as I know residency is not a requirement. Rather they just make this available in October and early November at local Denver sporting goods stores (REI for example). You have to be present to get it. But it does get you some nice discounts on lift tickets (try $55 in 2005).
 • Colorado Pass   More...

 • In the off season, Mountain Bike rentals and lift tickets are available for a reasonable cost. Ride the lift up to the top and bike your way down, taking in thrills, scenery, and encounters with wildlife. Trails are rated by difficulty and are well-maintained. It is certainly easy and fun to ride the gondola up and ride the bike down.

 • Vail Bike Tech   More...

 • Sweet Basil $$$$ - I have never had a bad meal here. Service is impeccable. Great food. My favorite place in Vail.
 • La Tour $$$$ - Great French food, consistently excellent.
 • Game Creek Restaurant $$$$$ - Typically, at a place with great views and the requirement to take a snow cat (winter) or (Suburban) to get there you would dismiss it as a tourist-trap, pay for the view type of place. Well the Game Creek Restaurant is not, it actually has the food and service to back it up. It is a great dinner, in a   More...

By car
I-70 is a direct route into Vail. Its exactly 100 miles from Denver, about 130 miles from the Denver Airport.

One caution: During peak times, the road from Vail to Denver can get very crowded and it is not unheard   More...