Colorado trip

[skigirl]

I posted a link to my ski pictures under DOD, Other Stuff, Ski Pictures at Keystone. I posted a lot of great pictures including some great action shots and 3 videos on my website. It was easier for me to do that so all my friends, family and divas can see them in one place. It saved me posting them all over the place.

We had a good time at Keystone. It is a very nice Mountain. We skied Breck one day, but it is so windy that we decided Keystone was better for that.

I am sorry to say this but we did not like Vail. All you do at Vail is hike. I want to downhill ski not cross country ski. If you don't mind hiking then go to Vail. If you hate hiking then don't go to Vail. My other problem with Vail was the smell at all the top lodges. Vail clean up your act!! For those of you wondering what the horrible smell is at all the top lodges it is raw sewage.:( What a horrible smell. Please don't kick me in the head because I did not like Vail. I just did not like it.

Keystone was my pick for the week. We had good snow and a lot of fun there.

Please go enjoy the pictures. I am very sick right now and could use cheering up.

 

[SkiNurse]

I enjoyed your pictures.

I'm not going to kick you in the head for not liking Vail, but your description is nothing like the Vail I know. Where were in in Vail that you had to hike too? I can think of a couple of places in Blue Sky Basin and in Siberian Bowl that require hiking...or if you take the Minturn Mile. But, I actually do more hiking at Keystone (North Peak & Outback) than I ever have a Vail. I'm sorry you had a poor experience. That is one thing about Vail...it is so huge, that you can find whatever type of terrain you desire.

 

[Robyn]

I gotta agree with SkiNurse here. It sounds to me like if you ever decide to go back to Vail take a short lesson or tour with someone who knows the mountain so you don't end up hiking as much. If you don't know the best way to get around it can mean hiking a bit but usually there is a run you can do down to another lift that will bring you up where you want to be.

As far as the smell, I'm guessing you're talking about some of the outer restrooms like the one at the top of Blue Sky? They are not fully plumbed like Mid Vail or Eagle's Nest.

But, nevertheless, I'm glad you enjoyed Keystone.

 

[Gina23]

yes vail does not smell good at all

 

[Jilly]

Dear ole "Git-a-long Road". I haven't been to Vail in almost 20 years, but I do remember that GD road! But we did manage to stay away from it. I don't remember hiking too much, except for the roads!

 

[skigirl]

Yes the Two Elk Lodge and the Lodge at the top of the Wildwood lift smell so bad!!

It was not just the cat tracks that were bad but when you get off the lifts you have to walk a long way before you start going down hill, in any direction. At that altitude I can't walk and push myself that much.:Cry:

 

[Kimmyt]

Do they use self-composting (non-flush) toilets? Those tend to be much more environmentally sound than the flushing kind. Also a wee bit stinky as a result. Ah, the price of bringing civilization into the wilderness!

You can't have your bathroom and ask it to smell good too... or something like that!

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Wow! I totally (obviously) disagree with the Vail comments. I do have to say, though, I take some responsibility for SkiGirl not enjoying Vail like she could have. I was supposed to meet up with her, but unfortunately, I was hospitalized during her trip. I owe her BIG TIME!

There really is NO need to pole or hike in Vail, but you do need to know where you are going. Along with everything else people have said, you may need to get a good roll going across Eagle's Nest Ridge coming out of the Game Creek Bowl.

The smell of Vail? No....not a bad smell. The upper toilets, as Robyn said, are compost. Just have to plan your bathroom breaks to be in other lodges. I've NEVER felt that Vail smells, but maybe I'm used to it! :ROTF:

Kim....I owe you a tour of Vail.....if you ever want to give it another try. Deal?

 

[mollmeister]

It's so funny how opinions vary. . . I absolutely detest Keystone (for reasons I won't go into here, as it isn't a *bash Keystone* thread, lol) and love Vail, even though I sometimes wish it had a few more steeps.

I don't ever feel like I have to hike unless I want to at Vail. I mean, yes, there is a pole across the top from Sun Up/Tea Cup to Two Elk, but that's only if you want to skate it (and I generally do), otherwise you can ski down a green and hop on a chair to Two Elk. Yes, you have to carry speed to get into Game Creek. . . but other than that, I guess I stay far, far away from catwalks. Never use 'em to get to Blue Sky (that catwalk is a horrible trap for the uninitiated), never use 'em (except for maybe a couple of switchbacks) to get down at the end of the day.

Clearly you just need a tour from me & Native Vail Gal! Come back! We'll show you a good time!

As for smells. . . yeah, there are a few stinky outhouses and pit toilets (but honestly, a composting toilet makes a lot more sense and a lot less environmental impact than plumbing Blue Sky), but I hardly notice them. . . .except, maybe, for a certain odor that occasionally lingers around the bottom of Northwoods in certain weather conditions. .

Then again, I do a lot of hiking, and I come across a lot of trailhead pit toilets, so maybe I am numbed to the odeur. :p But Two Elk? I have spent a lot of time in and around there (eating my 11:15am posole, snowshoeing up, skiing down) and I have never smelled anything there. Weird. Strange. And odd.