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Ritz-Carlton
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November 15 - 25, 2015
The newest Ritz-Carlton Club in Lionshead Village, Vail, Colorado
Driving from Lee's Summit, Missouri to Vail, Colorado
Leaving Denver on our way to Vail.
Mountains getting closer.
Almost 11,000 feet nearing the Eisenhower
Tunnel on I-70.
Entrance to the Eisenhower Tunnel. Beats
Loveland Pass (which was closed).
Inside the tunnel.
The Ritz-Carlton Club, Lionshead Village, Vail, Colorado
Living room with gas fireplace.
Kitchen with upscale Bosch appliances.
Bedroom (one of two master suites).
Master bath (one of two) with heated floor.
Bridge over Gore Creek leading to Vail
Village.
Statue to honor the U.S. Army, 10th Mountain Division,
in Vail Village.
During World War
II the United States Army created a training center south of the valley called
Camp Hale. The 10th Mountain Division trained for alpine combat at Camp Hale.
Made up of excellent skiers and mountaineers, the 10th fought in mountainous
northern Italy and upon return, they became major players in the quickly growing
ski industry founding or working at over 50 resorts in the US.
One veteran of the
10th Mountain Division, Pete Seibert, returned to Colorado after the war to
return to skiing and became a member of the Aspen Ski Patrol, Aspen Ski School
and eventually the manager of Loveland Basin Ski Area. While at Loveland, Pete
and Earl Eaton began looking to develop another ski area in the Rocky Mountain
region.
Earl Eaton grew up
in Colorado and began skiing at a young age. By 1940, Eaton was working for the CCC
in Glenwood Springs and ski racing in Aspen where he met Pete Seibert. Seibert
and Eaton first climbed Vail Mountain during the winter of 1957. Both agreed
that this would be the perfect ski area!
Vail Mountain was
property of The United States Forest Service (USFS) and local ranchers owned the
surrounding valley. To get the ski area rolling, Seibert and Eaton needed
something that neither of them had, money. Seibert proved to be adept at
securing investors, which was a good thing because in order to obtain a permit
from the USFS Vail needed to have $1,000,000 in the bank. Initial investors
paid $10,000 for a condo unit and lifetime season pass!
The rest is history. But all those many visitors, skiers or not, who visit Vail each year have the United States Army to thank. Thus the statue.
A look down Bridge Street, Vail Village.
More of Vail Village.
Altitude in Vail Village – just over 8,000
feet.
Love the Alpine architecture.
From the bridge crossing Gore Creek.
View from our living room first morning.
Nancy at the Ritz-Carlton Club bar – it won't
open until half way through our stay.
Nancy at the bar next door at the
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort (It was open.)
The Remedy Bar at the
Four Seasons Vail.
Nancy in front of the
Arrabelle in Lionshead Village.
Lionshead Village.
The slopes getting ready for their November
20th opening.
Lunch at the
Blue Moose Pizza in Lionshead Village.
My first
Fat Tire of this trip at
Bart and Yetis.
Nancy and Russ at the Tavern on the Square at
the
Arrabella in Lionshead Village.
More Fat Tire – this time
at Garfinkles in Lionshead Village.
The mountain getting ready for season opening
day, November 20th.
Skating rink in Lionshead Village.
Heading back to the Ritz-Carlton Club.
The bar getting ready to open for the season.
Soon to be filled with skiers arriving.
The heated pool – I hear to 82 degrees.
Rear view of the resort.
And the hot tub – we finally got in and
enjoyed.
Nancy and Russ at our favorite Vail restaurant
Sweet Basil.
Opening of the Ritz-Carlton Club bar – we
were the second couple to sample the fare.
Red wine this time back at the Remedy Bar at
the
Four Seasons Vail.
Nancy and Russ back at the Avalanche Bar in
the
Vail Marriott (next door).
Our coldest morning – heard it was -2
overnight. Unusually cold for Vail.
Nancy at the Marriott.
Skating rink at Lionshead Village.
Lunch at Blue Moose Pizza in Beaver Creek
Village.
Beaver Creek photos.
Nancy at Dusty Boot Saloon, Beaver Creek.
The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch.
Nostalgic view of the former Ritz-Carlton Club Bachelor Gulch – Now Timbers.
Fire pit looking toward the Ritz-Carlton
Hotel.
Wine bar in the members area (closed).
Members area.
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