• Get on the mountain at 8:30am or 9:00am (when the lifts open) to avoid the crowds.
• Take a ski or snowboard lesson. Whether you want to learn a new sport, improve your skills, skip lift lines or just want to find the stashes that only the locals know, we cannot emphasize strongly enough what a difference this can make!
• Enjoy an early lunch (before 11:00am) or a late lunch (after 1:00pm) to avoid the crowds at the on-mountain restaurants.
• Take advantage of the FREE mountain tours - check with the front desk for meeting times and location.
• Take a private lesson specializing in the terrain park and half-pipe tricks.
• Book a private ski instructor for the family. A private instructor can accommodate up to six guests with different levels (although you may have to split up part of the day) and can be cheaper than group lessons!
• Take a mountain tour on your first day of skiing - you'll learn the in's and out's of the mountain to make the most of your stay.
• Avoid the hassles of bringing your skis and ship them ahead of time, or only bring your boots and rent skis on-site…save money at the airport, and time in the rental shop.
• Take it easy the first day in the mountains to ensure the altitude does not affect you. It is advised to drink a lot of water, curtail alcohol and eat light meals during the first few days to ensure you acclimate well to the area.
• Contact our concierge to set up babysitting one night and enjoy a romantic dinner.
• Don't forget your swimsuits for the pool and/or hot tubs.
• Each condominium has a fully equipped kitchen to make it convenient for in-house meals.
• Stay an extra day to avoid long lines at the airport and increased traffic on the roads.
• Call our concierge to book your reservations at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability.
• Use the kitchen in your condominium and pack a "brown-bag" lunch to avoid on-mountain crowds and prices.

• Get your ski/snowboard rentals the night before you start skiing - the lines are much shorter than in the mornings.
• Most restaurants offer a reduced price "bar menu" during happy hour. Sit at the bar instead of in the restaurant and save.
• Book an airport shuttle for your family and save on car rental fees. Most resorts offer free transportation once you've arrived.
• Purchase multiple day lift tickets for big discounts (and be sure to purchase at least 10 days prior to arrival!). Also, look online for the best deals ahead of time.
• All resorts offer a morning "grooming list," make sure you pick one up from your concierge.
• Stay mid-week instead of over the weekends - you can save up to 50% on lodging and lift tickets.
• Visit in January for less crowded slopes and discounted accommodations.
• Check our long-stay and early booking deals for the best prices on your lodging.
• Visit during value seasons, typically around Thanksgiving through mid-December or in April. There are a variety of special events in town and lodging/lift tickets are a fraction of the cost.
• Call our concierge to order your groceries prior to arrival. You will save a lot of time and money by eating in your condominium!
• The spring off-season can be a good time to find great deals on ski equipment.

• Vail is situated at 8,150 feet above sea level. Guests are recommended to take it easy their first day in the area to ensure the altitude does not affect them. Guests are advised to drink a lot of water, curtail alcohol and eat light meals during their first few days to ensure they acclimate well to the area.
• A great way to warm up your muscles before a day on the mountain is by taking a morning yoga class at Aria Spa & Club at the Vail Cascade.
• Stretch your muscles before and after a day on the slopes. The 78,000 square-foot Aria Spa & Club at the Vail Cascade offers a sports training facility with specialists who can guide you through a series of stretches to keep loose on and off the mountain.
• Skiers looking to sooth tired muscles can schedule a hot stone or therapeutic sports massage at Aria Spa & Club at the Vail Cascade.
• Not a skier but still want to see the great views from the top of the mountain? Non-skiers can take the gondola to the top of Vail Mountain throughout the day and into the evening.
• Families can enjoy the excitement of Adventure Ridge at the top of Vail Mountain for snowtubing, ski biking, snowmobile rides and a trampoline. The whole family can make a night out of it with dinner and drinks on the mountain.
• For convenient access to dining, shopping and nightlife, the Vail Cascade offers a free shuttle to nearby Lionshead and Vail Village.
• Check our events calendar for information on the many concerts, plays & dance performances at the Vilar Center for the Arts and Gerald R. Ford Amphitheatre (summer only).
• The recreation path runs the entire length of Vail along Gore Creek and is a beautiful, relaxing way to see the town of Vail.
• Visit during the off-season (spring or fall) for Vail's best sales.

• Get to know the concierge. They're your new best friend. From the time you decide to visit us, until it's time to leave, remember the concierge is like your very own personal adventure planner. They know about the resort, special events and the local towns more than anyone else.
• You can call or e-mail with any questions or requests big and small. If they don't know the answer, they will find out for you.
• Plan ahead with the concierge so you're prepared when you arrive and all the details for your trip are taken care of. Their job is to make sure you know about all of the seasonal activities, your dining options and where to go in our local community for some history or shopping. They can arrange reservations, tee times and even spa appointments in advance.
• The concierge can also help you arrange that great surprise for your special someone: birthdays, anniversaries, wedding proposals, or just a romantic occasion. Most anything can be customized by the concierge - the sky's the limit!
• Want to check-in early? Check out the spa! If you arrive before check-in time and your room is not ready, that's okay. You can check your bags with the Bell Staff and they will place your belongings in your room as soon as it is ready. This gives you a chance to check out the resort. First, stop by the Concierge Desk. They will know if the spa is offering special rates for guests who come early.
• Remember, your room may not be available, but our activities are. You can also eat at one of our restaurants, take a dip in our indoor pool, or make a snowman.
• Have a relaxing day... in! The new Glade Spring Spa at Suncadia offers a variety of massages, facials, and body therapies. While everyone else is out in the cold, stay warm indoors. Start with a spa cuisine with complimentary beverages while looking out into the gardens and glades. Then let one of our experienced massage therapists help you relax with your choice of treatment. Don't forget to head over to our mineral pool for a soothing end to your day. Services are available for all ages to enjoy.

• Take in the local flavors. Compare local Vermont wines with classic wines from around the world. Visit our sommelier at Solstice!
• Soothe tired ski muscles. Did you know sound vibrations can help relaxation and circulation? Visit the Spa at Stowe Mountain Lodge to experience the Sound Chair.
• Want a night for just the two of you? "Kids Night" is every Friday!
• Want to get away to the wilderness but still have access to luxury? Stowe Mountain Lodge is located in a State Park and protected forest but has the amenities of a 4-star resort.

BEST-KEPT SECRETS:

Snowmass

• The daily "Noon Groom," is a freshly groomed run that reopens at noon.
• Take a short hike to the Long Shot trail where intermediate skiers and snowboarders can get a backcountry experience while in-bounds.

Aspen

• Venture off the groomed runs and have black/double-black-diamond trails all to yourself.

Aspen Highlands

• The newly extended Mushroom trail will test even the most fit legs of mogul enthusiasts. For incredible skiing/riding on a powder day, head to Log Jam Gully, Bowling Alley and Fran's Love in Deep Temerity.

Buttermilk

• Long, wide groomers on West Buttermilk and steeper rolling runs are found on Tiehack.

• Make sure to get to Tahoe City and the road that takes you all around Lake Tahoe (about a two hour trip if you go all the way around). At 12 miles wide and 22 miles long, Lake Tahoe is North America's largest alpine lake and one of the world's most majestic views with its famous cerulean blue waters.
• Take the free shuttle to the Village at Squaw for a little shopping or nightlife.
• Ice skate at Resort at Squaw Creek's rink, or at Squaw Valley USA's High Camp.
• Place the kids in Mountain Buddies, Resort at Squaw Creek's ultimate children's adventure camp for ages 4-12. Open daily. At night, roast s'mores over one of the outdoor fire pits.
• Reserve your table at Ristorante Montagna & Wine Bar, which offers Squaw's best slopeside dining with an all-new European-influenced menu. Reservations are highly recommended. 530.581.6618. Indoor and outdoor dining offered.
• Have your skis or board waxed when you arrive at the resort. Local technicians will have the best wax for current conditions, so you can glide with the best of them.
• Attempt legendary run, KT-22. Advanced and experts only. Watching skiers and boarders come down the runs on the face of KT is as fun as skiing these world-famous runs.
• Catch Sandy's Pub for Happy Hour - best drink specials and biggest screens in the valley. On Wednesday nights you can play Wii games for free from 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM on the big projection screen.
• Ask for the "6,200" in the Six Peaks Grille bar.
• Take the free Mountain Tour at Squaw Valley USA. As one of the nation's largest mountains, Squaw Valley USA is a vast expanse to explore. A tour can help. The concierge desk has schedules.
• Soak in the hot tubs on-mountain that Skiing Magazine claimed to be the best of any resort. Under the stars, or with the setting sun above the Sierra peaks, the views are as inspiring to the eyes as the warm water is to sore muscles