Resort height: 2500m
The mountains
Jump onto Vail's fast and efficient ski lift system, and you quickly leave the freeway behind - entering a world of wide and fast groomers (as the Americans like to call their pistes) which are purpose-built to make you feel good about your skiing. Even the off-piste terrain is relatively easy-going. In fact, Vail's celebrated 'Back Bowls' are probably the best place in the world for skiers to make their first turns in powder (provided they have luck with the conditions). Facilities for beginners are good, too: and as with so many American and Canadian resorts, the ski school offers energetic and painstaking tuition.
The one group of skiers and snowboarders who will feel a little short-changed by Vail are the experts. There are a lot of very highly skilled mountain-users living in the area, and they're up in Vail all the time - but compared to the likes of Tignes, Jackson Hole, La Plagne or Chamonix, they dine on scraps: unless you're content to ski mogul fields and tree-runs for most of the holiday you should turn your attention to steeper resorts.
Getting there
You have to fly to Denver and then jump in a hire car (which is tough after the long flight), or else catch one of the many transfer buses which make the two and a half-hour journey up to the resort. By the time you get to Vail, you'll be feeling groggy.
Rating: 
8/10
Après-ski
There's a huge choice of bars and restaurants in the valley - although Vail is a long, narrow, linear town and getting from one end to the other can be a drag (although there is a free shuttle bus). Those who want to burn the candle at both ends would be well advised to stay near Vail Village (the main hub of the lifts) so they can be near key bars such as the Red Lion. For posh nosh, try the Tour, or the Game Creek Restaurant - private club by day, exclusive, out-of-the-way restaurant by night.
Rating: 8/10
Non-skiers
The linear nature of the Vail resort means that you'll spend a lot of time in the car, or riding the shuttle buses. But there's a lot to do here - shopping, dining, dipping in and out of the high-end spas, and visiting the factory outlet stores in Silverthorne (Gap, Ralph Lauren, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger are all there). Adventure ridge above the Lionshead suburb lays on lots of fun activities too, including tubing, ski biking and the trampoline.
Rating: 
6/10
Cost of living
Getting to Colorado isn't cheap: and Vail's position as a premium ski resort means accommodation can be pricey too, particularly if you want to stay near the lifts. There are budget lodging options, however, although you may end up in one of the outer suburbs or even on the wrong side of the freeway.
Rating: 6/10
Attractiveness of the resort
The look of Vail is improving - especially at Lionshead, which has had a big-budget facelift. Once you leave the highway behind the mountains are lovely too - although not as craggy as you'll find in the Alps or the Canadian Rockies.
