In the summer of 2024, I escaped a hurricane in Texas with a van full of valuables and my dog and cat. Because I grew up in Colorado, I went there without a plan because I knew the mountains would protect us in some way. We eventually arrived in Vail, a town I've visited in all seasons for most of my life and a place I particularly loved because of its opening chapter. While most people think of Vail as a trendy resort—yes, it's lively—Vail rose to prominence because of one man's passion, and it blends neatly into the Gore Range of the Rockies, some 8,000 feet above sea level. feet, spectacular.
It was built in the early 1960s as a dream of Pete Seibert, who served in the Army's 10th Mountain Division during World War II. As a soldier on skis, he fought in Italy through the Dolomites near the Austrian border. Despite the horrors of war, Seibert was drawn to the Italian Alps and their characteristic fairy-tale villages, and he returned home with the desire to build a ski village that not only reflected his beloved architecture and The trail, but also the abundant food provided, provided him with motivation. Most of all, he wanted to exude the soulful warmth he felt from the locals he met while on duty in Italy. Sensitive to untamed nature, Seibert opened up ski slopes and built a postcard-perfect village with a Tyrolean flair. Winding cobbled streets, picturesque corners, sgrafitto chalets, gingerbread decorations and ample green spaces create an Alpine charm that remains today.
By far the best place to experience Vail’s unique blend of global mountain flair is Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail. It is located at the entrance to the village of Vail, overlooking the mountains and artfully surrounding one of the finest swimming pools on earth. This 133-room retreat is a contemporary rift in Seibert's Tyrolean vision, providing a convenient and comfortable base for outdoor enthusiasts skiing, snowshoeing, hiking or biking in winter or summer. But Vail Four Seasons does more than just provide a base to burn off energy in the pine woods. I had no hesitation leaving my husband and pets in our exquisite suite to swim in the huge (heated) pool and experience the newly redesigned spa.
This well-appointed wellness haven had just opened a few days before my arrival, offering a quiet alternative to Vail's outdoor activities, high-octane activities, and luxurious social events. A sanctuary consisting of 13 state-of-the-art treatment rooms, saunas, indoor swimming pools and outdoor terraces with warm fireplaces, it proposes programs designed to address the health concerns that most require of its guests. “People are tired,” said my spa therapist, who said the spa's only desire for a redo was to support “rest, recovery, sleep and slowing down.” Its latest treatments are up to the task. The Signature Extreme 360° Beauty Ritual Facial, created in partnership with EviDenS, is a multi-layered journey including a mask, massage and exfoliation, while an invigorating mineral mud using products from Comfort Zone (one of my favorite spa brands) The wrap rejuvenated not only my thirsty skin, but my hurricane-stressed spirit. And, I still dream about GROUND Wellbeing's Sleep Ritual, a gateway to better sleep that uses smooth massage techniques and guided breath work to ensure I have a restful nap.
