Willows Condominiums

Ice and snow accumulate overnight

by goingsolo

Ski season in Vail usually begins in late November. Although an official opening day is scheduled, this date is subject to change depending on how much snow the area receives. Vail Mountain and its surrounding ski destinations opened on time for the 2003 season as snow fall had been good that year. The night before, ice and snow built up, creating patches of snow on the ground and on balconies. The next day, the first snowstorm of the season arrived, in a rain of white flurry which covered the village streets, creating a winter wonderland. It was the first time I'd seen snow fall, and it was a beautiful sight.

German Style Gasthoff Gramshammer

by BruceDunning about Pepis in Gathof

I did not eat here but indications it is a BAvarian style restaurant. they call it Austrian-close to the same region for typical menu fare. They served according to the web page brats, schnitzel, veal, pork, goulash to cover the normal Germanic items. The interesting aspect is to maybe sit on the patioi and have a beer while watching the shoppers stroll by. I would have picked schnitzel

Condos for Sale

by BruceDunning

The purpose to offer the amenities at Vail for the owners is to sell and build condos. It continues to expand over the last 40 years and now has sprawled out into a real community with normal issues as to town living. Traffic and people are centralized into the main center, and this has caused the requirement to use the bus system to get around. Coming to town, you can shop and eat, and enjoy the tourists.

My Vail Years - 1972-1992

by tjfitzgerald

"Historical Overview"

I moved to Vail in November of '72 and considered it home for the next 20 years. This was a time before Vail became "VAIL!". I was a relatively boring place to grow up as there very few things to do in the rural communities outside Vail for an under 18 yr old to do (drink age was 18 back then for the bars - 3.2 beer only). As Vail has grown into the over priced tourist trap it is today and will become even worse, the locals in general tolerate the Winter but live for the summers when there are many more activities, cheaper prices and fewer tourons (a hybrid word that is used by the locals to mean 1/2 tourist and 1/2 ***, I'm usually one myself the first time to a new area). For the best activities go into the mountains and not the ski trails. Areas like Piney Lake at the base of the Gore Range will remain beatiful forever with plenty of horseback riding from the ranch, hiking and fishing around the lake and miles away from the noise of I-70.