Perfectly situated in the heart of Vail Village, the family owned and operated Tivoli Lodge is ideal for families of all ages. The lodge is beautiful, inside and out, and the quaint shops and restaurants of Vail Village are a short walk from the front door of the lodge. The Vista Bahn ski lift is just steps away from the back door.

The lodge itself is everything you would expect to find in a ski town like Vail. A luxurious and spacious lobby welcomes guests with large cozy chairs, fireplace, handsome bar and stunning views of the mountains. Guests will find complimentary coffee and tea service in the morning and an afternoon reception of homemade cookies, hot chocolate and cider. The cookies alone are enough to make you want to return to the Tivoli.

Most travelers arriving by air will utilize Denver International Airport due to the number of flights and scheduling flexibility. Vail can also be reached by flights into Eagle County Airport, which, while closer to the area ski resorts, tends to be more costly. Once in Denver, car rentals are readily available, as well as convenient mountain shuttle services. However you decide to arrive, you won’t need to get back into your car unless you wish to explore areas outside of Vail. Area restaurants and shops not within close walking distance of the hotel are reached by a quick ride on the free town shuttle that runs almost 24 hours each day.

Vail is the second largest ski mountain in North America and at 8,120 feet above sea level, boasts more than 5,000 skiable acres featuring all types of ski terrain. Average snowfall is about 200 inches per season. It is no surprise that Vail is one of the world’s premier ski destinations and a stay at the Tivoli will have your family right in the middle of the fun!

The Tivoli Lodge has a total of 66 guestrooms, all featuring fine linens, mini fridges, flat-screen televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi and large soaking tubs. The room decor reflects the mountain locale, with warm woods, earth-toned granite surfaces and cozy bedding. Most rooms enjoy fireplaces and mountain views.

Specialty rooms include four-tower rooms with large, circling windows and one large suite. Traveling families will appreciate the coin-operated laundry room, portable cribs and rollaway beds. For larger groups, families can request cribs or rollaway beds as well as adjoining rooms; adjoining rooms allow two separate rooms to share a common hallway, offering more room as well as more privacy.

The activities your family will want to pursue while in Vail will depend largely upon the time of year. While the attractions of a winter visit are obvious, Vail in the summer is cool and lovely, with its own array of special events and activities.

Skiing and Riding
Vail is comprised of four small villages: Golden Peak, Vail Village, Lionshead and Cascade, all of which are connected by the Vail mountains and ski trails. Each village has its own ski base and offers a variety of services and restaurants.

If you're deciding whether to tote or rent equipment, renting equipment at the mountain usually makes the most sense. First, renting skis will spare you the hassle of transporting gear via plane and second, it's easy to make exchanges should the equipment malfunction or become uncomfortable. The Tivoli Lodge smartly recommends Troy's Ski Shop for guest rentals; Troy's staff is unique due to their friendly, slow-paced service and will take their time to make sure that everyone is properly fitted. Troy's is also conveniently located just a short walk from the lodge.

Ski and Snowboard Lessons
Vail has two ski school centers -- one at Lionshead and the other at Golden Peak. The Golden Peak location is fabulous for Tivoli guests as it is a very short walk from the lodge. Lessons can be booked online prior to arrival.

Ice Skating
Ice skating is available at two spots in Vail. The newest rink is the Solaris, located at the intersection of East Meadow Drive and Willow Bridge Road, not far from Vail Village center. Skate rentals are available for a reasonable price and the fee includes helmets. The second rink is in the heart of Vail Square and also offers skate rentals.

Adventure Ridge Activity Center
This stadium-sized center is basically one giant snow-filled playground! Situated at the top of the Eagle Bahn gondola, this is a terrific family destination when you are looking to take some time off from the slopes. Activities include a kid-sized snowmobile track, snow-tubing lanes, ski biking, snowshoeing and a bungee trampoline. Fees vary upon the activities chosen and reservations are recommended.

One of a Kind Experiences
If you are looking to add a special, memorable experience to your mountain vacation, here are some exceptional suggestions:

Beano's Cabin: This fine dining restaurant, located in nearby Beaver Creek Resort, is reached only by snow cat in winter and horseback or tractor in summer. With delicious cuisine and magnificent views, Beano's is a family favorite.

4 Eagle Ranch: Homesteaded in the 1880s, this ranch offers a genuine Colorado mountain experience. Guests arrive at the ranch on horse-drawn sleighs, enjoy a delightful meal and live music, and conclude the evening with a marshmallow roast.

Bol: This is bowling as defined by Vail! In a chic, modern and upscale setting, families can enjoy the traditional fun of bowling with its own restaurant and bar.

CineBistro: This is movie going as defined by Vail! The movie theater screens first-run movies and offers full dining and cocktail service as well.

Families will enjoy the convenience of the full breakfast served each morning at the Tivoli, as well as the afternoon snacks. For lunch and dinner, however, guests can seek out the many family-friendly restaurants that are found throughout the villages. Some go-to spots include:

Blu's
This is a casual, laid back eatery with American fare and an extensive children's menu.

La Bottega
This Italian restaurant features an outside deck that is great in the summer months.

Pazzo's Pizzeria
Located in Vail Village, this shop offers exactly what you would expect from a pizzeria, with lots of kid favorites, as well as a nice children's menu.

Larkspur
This restaurant is perfect if mom and dad are looking for a more adult-style meal, but want the kids to be happy too. The children's menu at Larkspur is probably the best I've ever seen!

Alternatives to Dining Out
Vail's "a la Car" service is a great alternative to restaurant dining. This restaurant delivery service brings fresh and hot food to your hotel room every evening between 5 and 10 p.m. The a la Car magazine has compiled menus from each participating restaurant that vary widely from casual to fine dining, with many ethnic choices. The service will also deliver groceries to your hotel at market price with an added delivery fee.

All About the Extras
One of the biggest challenges of Rocky Mountain skiing is the altitude. With a mountain base elevation at more than 8,000 feet and a peak elevation at more than 11,000 feet, adjusting to the altitude can be difficult, especially for younger children. Spending that first night of vacation in Denver, may allow for a more gradual adjustment to the air quality. It's important to keep everyone in the family hydrated and rested.

Other extras include two outdoor hot tubs overlooking the mountains, a nicely equipped exercise room and a complimentary business center. Movies and games are on hand for quiet evenings with the kids and babysitting is easily arranged for an evening out for parents.

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.

Getting Around
Convenient mountain shuttle services are available to guests.

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.

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!