Vail spreads for eight miles along the narrow valley floor, with successive adjoining villages from east to west at Vail Village, Lionshead, Cascade Village and West Vail. Beaver Creek, home of the Fords, lies a further ten miles west. The entire complex is pedestrianized ; there's no charge for the parking lots in summer, and Vail Buses run free year-round shuttles (tel 970/328-8143).

Eating out can also prove expensive. Jackalope in West Vail Mall (tel 970/476-4314) is a lively saloon and pool hall serving basic food (entrees around $9), and Vendetta's , 291 Bridge St in Vail Village (tel 970/476-5070), offers fine Italian lunch specials and pasta dinners (around $15).

Nightlife revolves around The Circuit on Bridge Street, Vail Village. Most people tour between the bars and discos. The checklist of places to see and be seen includes The Club (tel 970/479-0556), a basement bar with loud rock; the Hong Kong CafA© , 227 Wall St (tel 970/476-1818), a small venue where crowds spill outside and loud music rules upstairs at Vendetta's (the ski patrol hangout); and Nick's (tel 970/476-5011), below Russell's Restaurant , which plays reasonable dance music.