Vail Village: Old and new, there’s no place like Vail
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Vail has a rich and vigorous history, one that has often placed it on the leading edge of change. Earl Eaton and Pete Seibert purchased the Hanson Ranch in 1957, and that land became what is now Vail. Vail opened Colorado’s first gondola in 1961 and established the first quartet of high-speed quad ski lifts in 1985. Vail expanded its skiable area by 33 percent in 1999 with installation of the first lifts in Blue Sky Basin.
In the past 50 years Vail Village and Vail Mountain have undergone dramatic growth, serving to take Vail to the international prominence and elite status it now enjoys. With the evolution of the area there are a few traditions in Vail that remain intact: Vail has again secured the No. 1 position in this year’s SKI magazine rankings; the landmark Covered Bridge still carries people across the Gore Creek; and the annual Vail Rubber Duck Race again took place along the Eagle River, and in spite of an alleged rubber duck doping scandal (very ugly, making the Tour de France look pristine), raised $110,000 to help locals.
But the inevitable march of change continues to show its face throughout Vail Village. There are many (many, many, many) transformations that are proposed, underway, or already complete, each making its individual mark on the complexion of the town. It’s impossible to list all of the projects but here are a few of the changes the “New Dawn” revitalization has spawned in the remaking of our world renowned ski resort.
One big change that occurred this year is not such a visible one. Vail Resorts, Inc. moved its headquarters to Broomfield, outside of Denver. The company announced a record financial showing for the 2006 fiscal year and Rob Katz became the new CEO of the company.
However, most of the changes in Vail Village are easily observable. Heated cobblestone pavers now cover the streets and weave throughout the Village, lending to the old-world European ambiance.
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Certainly the most controversial and hotly contested project was the Village’s central compound of Crossroads. The Crossroads debate is finally over; the voters spoke and Solaris, the redevelopment of Crossroads, is to become a reality. Originally built in 1968, the building will be torn down in the spring of 2007 with completion of the complex planned for summer of 2009. It is proposed that the development will include 69 condominiums, a three-screen movie theater, a 10-lane bowling alley, ice rink, a half-acre public plaza, and stores and restaurants.
One Willow Bridge Road, located in the town’s center across from Crossroads, is scheduled for completion by the end of April 2007. Unique among the larger, new projects, One Willow Bridge Road is exclusively owner-occupied. The complex includes 10 whole ownership residences and 12 fractional units.
The long-standing, prestigious Sonnenalp Resort of Vail greatly expanded its hotel, added retail space, the Swiss Chalet restaurant, and underground parking. The new building extension extended into what was their parking lot.
Tivoli Lodge, on Hanson Ranch Road next to the Vista Bahn ski lift, was scraped and rebuilt. It is now sporting European style architecture for the 62 hotel rooms and amenities.
A large section of earth at the base of Vail Mountain is being cut away to make room for the Lodge Chalets at Vail, 13 duplex homes that will be located to the west of the Vista Bahn Lift, at the top of Bridge Street.
Also next to the Vista Bahn lift a mountain-front building will be erected, the Vail Mountain Club. It will house a luxury spa and social club, and offer 150 parking memberships.
A new Skier Services and Plaza center is also underway at the base of the Vista Bahn lift. With a completion target date of the 2007-08 ski season it will contain a ticket office, rental services, ski school, storage lockers, and warming room.
In the same vicinity, the 11,600-square-foot, mountainfront Avanyu Spa will be built on to The Lodge at Vail. The spa is scheduled for completion in 2007.
Manor Vail north of Golden Peak will add an additional floor and connect all four of its buildings, creating an additional 17 privately owned condominiums. Two levels of underground parking will also be added. The scheduled completion is summer of 2008.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences-Vail will be located at the gateway to Vail Village, formerly occupied by the Holiday Inn and long-standing Alpine Standard gas station, and will offer both a resort and residential facility. There are also fractional ownership opportunities in the Residence Club. Completion is scheduled for late 2008.
Also located at the gateway to Vail Village is the new Vail Plaza Club with its unique “fixed ownership” concept. It is a 100-room hotel and 37 fractional residences, all luxury amenities, and is scheduled for occupancy in spring of 2007.
Sweet Basil restaurant has received a facelift on its entire façade, which has included a large expansion and remodel of the dining area. La Bottega restaurant has also expanded its space once again to accommodate dining demand. The Alpenrose Restaurant has reopened in an extensively remodeled space.
This year Vail Village saw countless upgrades, remodels, and additions; demolition and rebuilding; incoming and outgoing businesses. It’s the “New Dawn,” Vail taking on the new millennium with gusto; and like it or not, ready or not, here it comes. Enjoy reminiscing about the old village, enjoy the enhancements of the new village, and most of all enjoy the holidays in a place like no where else in the world – enjoy the holidays in Vail!
Vail, Colorado
