PENNY PINCH
Get your lift ticket (vail.com; day ski pass $98) early: a huge ski area awaits. Spend the morning skiing the Front Side and then head over to Blue Sky Basin, where at the summit you can find gas grills to cook your BYO steak ($15). Spend the afternoon in this southern zone, accessed by three high-speed chairlifts. For apres ski, wander Vail village, where you may want to check out the Ski Museum (skimuseum.net; $2 donation suggested) and have a Colorado microbrewery beer at The Red Lion (theredlion.com; $6). Dine on great Italian food at relaxed La Bottega (labottegavail.com; mains about $28). If you have any spare cash, go late-night bowling at funky Bol Vail (bolvail.com; $57 one hour). Stay at Inn & Suites at Riverwalk (innandsuitesatriverwalk.com; from $160), about as budget as you get in Vail.
TOTAL: $366
EASY DOES IT
Vail (vail.com; day ski pass $98) is one of the world's largest ski resorts, so you'll have to focus. If you're a good skier, why not check out its seven famous Back Bowls, reached via Gondola One, where heated seats will keep your backside warm; Rasputin's Revenge run will challenge your prowess on the slopes. Lunch on the mountain at The 10th (the10thvail.com; $21), where slippers are provided and the menu features Swiss- and Italian-inspired alpine meals. After skiing, indulge in a foot treatment at The Lodge at Vail (lodgeatvail.rockresorts.com; $86). Have a combination tempura or sushi dinner at Matsuhisa (matsuhisavail.com; $68) for a taste of chef Nobu Matsuhisa's superb Japanese food. Stay at the well-located Tivoli Lodge (tivolilodge.com; from $$264), which has stylish, Tyrol-inspired guestrooms and outdoor hot tubs with views of the mountains.
TOTAL: $537
SPLASH OUT
Vail encompasses eight resorts, and Beaver Creek is its most exclusive. Stay at The Osprey (ospreyatbeavercreek.rockresorts.com; from $382) and you'll be right on the slopes and have the services of a ski valet. Get a one-day ski pass (beavercreek.com; $137) and take to the snow. Lunch at the new Talons Restaurant (beavercreek.com; $21) where gourmet dining options include smoked pork loin and Colorado lamb. Ski down to the village at 3pm to find chefs serving warm cookies (free). Take a spin on the outdoor ice rink ($11 including skate rental) in the heart of the village, and relax at its braziers over a hot chocolate ($5). Dine on a five-course menu at Beano's Cabin (beanoscabinbeavercreek.com; $113 including transport from village) on the mountainside. Finish with a late-night Colorado Wildflower vodka cocktail at chic 8100 Mountain Bar (8100barandgrill.com; $16).
TOTAL: $685
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