Dreaming of a European-style mountain retreat? You won’t even need your passport. At Christiania at Vail, escape to a Bavarian-inspired lodge nestled at the base of Vail Mountain, where world-class skiing, dramatic natural scenery and an oh-so-cute shopping village with heated cobblestone walkways are all just part of the charm.
Stay in the Christiania Lodge in Vail for a European-style chalet vibe that will transport you to a vacation state of mind right away. The boutique hotel offers rooms and suites — everything from a cozy queen room to a spacious king suite decked out with a fireplace and mountain-view balconies. Or just pretend you live there when you stay at one of the 50 condo vacation rentals at Christiania at Vail’s numerous properties offering residential amenities.
Truly, the location is hard to beat. Park your car and spend the rest of your getaway exploring on foot — or skis, snowshoes, sled or gondola. You’ll be right in the heart of the action, from the adventure of the mountains to the culture and dining of the alpine village.
How about the immediate access to world-class ski runs? Just walk out the back door of Christiania and straight to Vail Ski Resort’s Gondola One for a true ski-in/ski-out experience.
After a long day of hitting the slopes, take your tired muscles over to Dryland Fitness & Spa — Christiania guests have complimentary access (two passes per day, per room). Unwind in the hot tub, sauna, steam room, cold plunge and salt lounge; and just when you think you can’t possibly be more relaxed, book a massage that integrates organic oils to relieve inflammation and muscle tension. You’re welcome.
“We love staying at the Christiania lodge. The rooms are charming, the water in the hot tub is so relaxing, and the ski room makes for quick access to skiing. The staff is delightful in that they are so friendly and helpful. We always look forward to our yearly visit.” — marker6, Tripadvisor
Truly, you’ll barely have to leave Vail Village when you stay here. Skiers and snowboarders will be in powder paradise on Vail Mountain, boasting 32 lifts and 195 trails spread across more than 5,300 skiable acres. For snow hounds seeking a slower pace, head over to Vail Nordic Center for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and backcountry ski tours. Or learn about winter ecology and the animals that call these forests home on a free snowshoe tour at the Nature Discovery Center atop Eagle Bahn Gondola. When hunger hits, fill up with everything from barbecue to burgers — plus plenty of craft beer, naturally — at one of the many ski-in/ski-out mountaintop eateries.
Between Vail Village and nearby Lionshead, you’ll also find hundreds of shops and luxury-brand retailers, from art galleries and jewelry stores to sporting apparel and outdoors gear.
Visiting during the summer? Stroll through the flowers and forests at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens or hop on the free shuttle to Booth Lake Trail (also called Booth Falls Trailhead) to find some wildflowers (and a waterfall!) in Eagles Nest Wilderness.
Photos courtesy of Christiania at Vail
