Skiing affects real estate values more than any other lifestyle in the Vail Valley. Vail Village, Lionshead, Cascade Village, Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead all offer ski-in/ski-out opportunities. Proximity to skiing has an exponential effect on home prices in the Vail Valley. A homeowner with the fewest number of weeks to spend in Vail often considers a ski-in/ski-out home the highest priority. In one’s absence, the owner may still benefit from his premium location by commanding high rental rates or by sharing the home with clients, friends and family.
However, great ski homes need not be ski-in/ski-out. Vail is a very small town and is particularly well-equipped to bring skiers from all neighborhoods to the mountain. The Town of Vail operates a free bus service to and from all of the lift areas. Vail has large parking areas near the base of each mountain. Private clubs which provide parking, ski lockers and amenities are also a great way to enjoy a ski home without being ski-in/ski-out.
Private clubs also enhance the on-mountain experience. Vail, Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead all have private lodges which host lunch exclusively for its members. Every few weeks the ski mountains open early exclusively for members of the private clubs. Great parking, private lunches and early bird skiing are just a few of the amenities available to enhance a ski home which is not at the base of the mountain.
