Tivoli Lodge Planning & Tips

One of the biggest challenges of Rocky Mountain skiing is the altitude. With a mountain base elevation at over 8,000 feet and a peak elevation at over 11,000 feet, adjusting to the altitude can be difficult, especially for younger children. My family has traditionally spent the first night of our vacation in Denver, allowing for a more gradual adjustment to the air quality. It's important to keep everyone in the family hydrated and rested.

All About the Extras
Discounted Lift Tickets
Families planning to ski really shouldn't miss out on the terrific 20 percent discount on lift tickets by purchasing online at a minimum of 10 days prior to arrival; the Tivoli will have the lift tickets waiting for you at check in. (Note: The price of Vail ski school lessons may include a lift ticket; children 4 and under ski for free; children 13 and over are considered adults.)

Lodge Ski Valet
The complimentary valet service offered by the Tivoli is fabulous. Valets will lug, store and carry ski equipment from your car to the ski exit of the lodge, keeping the equipment safe and dry. The heated boot dryers are pretty terrific, too!

The Art of Smart Timing
The peak seasons at Vail include Christmas week and the weeks from mid-February through the end of March, and you can expect to find increased prices during the times; skiing with children during the spring skiing season in March is well worth the investment. This is even truer if your children are new to skiing, as a March trip will provide them with the most comfortable learning environment.

Getting There
Flights into Denver International Airport are numerous and frequent. Once you've arrived at the airport, there are many car rental agencies that specialize in providing cars large enough to transport families and their gear, as well as rooftop ski racks and car seats. Alternatively, there are several transport companies that can shuttle your group to the resort. Travel time from the airport to the resort is approximately two hours.

For Mom and Dad
Dinner for Two
Vail offers so many fine dining options that adding an evening out to your vacation is well worth the effort. The friendly staff at the Tivoli will gladly arrange for a babysitter and recommend restaurants. Here are a few outstanding choices:

Kelly Liken: For truly creative cuisine with Colorado flair, this restaurant is perfect. The dishes served are beautiful in presentation and incorporate local, as well as unusual, ingredients.

Larkspur: Every dish at this fine restaurant is memorable, managing to be sophisticated, but not intimidating to diners. The delicious cuisine at Larkspur is best described as French/Californian.

The Left Bank: This restaurant has been serving classic French fare for over 40 years, with an atmosphere that will transport you to Paris!

Spa Escape. The Tivoli Lodge has a reciprocal relationship with the Vail Lodge and Spa that allows guests to enjoy the amenities and services of this spa. While the kids are in ski school, perhaps a day of relaxation is just what mom and dad need!

Lunch for Two
Vail is unique in that its mountain dining options can be of a caliber equal to the high-end dining in the villages. Consider taking a break during the ski day, while the children are in ski school, to enjoy a gourmet meal at The 10th. New this year, The 10th is a ski in, but sit down, restaurant where guests trade ski boots for slippers and settle in for modern alpine classic dishes. Lunch is the only meal served here and reservations are recommended. The 10th is situated in the heart of Vail Mountain at the base of the Look Ma trail.