Vail Resorts Introduces 'Epic Summer, A Colorado Family Adventure' Vacation Experience in Colorado's Rocky Mountains

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:MTN) today announced a new all-inclusive summer family vacation experience in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, "Epic Summer, A Colorado Family Adventure." Vail Resorts is combining the best of its Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail and Beaver Creek mountain resorts in Colorado with classic Rocky Mountain summer adventures for locally guided, all-inclusive family vacation experiences in four- and seven-day itineraries. Vail Resorts will begin taking reservations for the Epic Summer trips beginning April 1, 2009.

"In these challenging times, we're seeing a return to the basics of a classic family vacation with 'luxury' now defined as companies providing a good value and people spending quality time with friends and loved ones. Our 'Epic Summer' vacation will have the best that Colorado's Rocky Mountains have to offer with everything included at one very attractive price," said Rob Katz, chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. "Right now, there is no better place to visit than the majestic national parks and forests of the West, and our new Epic Summer vacation will take guests on a guided tour through these spectacular mountain settings for a memorable outdoors summer adventure."

What makes Epic Summer trips memorable, besides the carefully selected activities, are Vail Resorts' experienced local guides who will lead guests through the entire itinerary from the moment they arrive until it's time to say farewell. The Epic Summer guides have been hand-picked because of their knowledge of and passion for Colorado and the mountains. They are experts in the history, culture and ecology of the areas that families will visit and have already taken care of all of the logistical planning so families can relax and make the most of their vacation experience.

Seven-Day Epic Summer Itinerary

On the six-night, seven-day itinerary, families will experience all of the following included activities:

-- The wonder of standing at the top of the Continental Divide in a trip
to world-renowned Rocky Mountain National Park.
-- The thrill of whitewater rafting down a scenic Colorado river.
-- The serenity of horseback riding through groves of aspens, pines and
fields dotted by wildflowers on Beaver Creek Mountain.
-- The awe of a gondola ride to the summits of Vail and Keystone
mountains, followed by family-friendly naturalist hikes and
mountaintop picnics.
-- The delight of an historical walking tour through the old Victorian
mining town of Breckenridge, which is celebrating its 150th
anniversary this year.
-- The excitement of an authentic gold mine tour and hands-on gold
panning.
-- The reward of a Wild West cowboy campfire dinner, complete with wagon
rides and storytelling.



The itinerary also allows plenty of time to explore the unique shops and boutiques in the towns of Estes Park, Vail and Breckenridge, along with other optional activities such as outdoor ice skating, orienteering and bicycling.

All of the meals are included and carefully planned to reflect the character and flavor of the Rocky Mountain West. Three of the lunches are mountaintop picnics where guests enjoy magnificent sweeping views of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, while another is enjoyed on the banks of a river during the rafting excursion. Dinners take place in iconic Colorado restaurants as well as an outdoor cowboy campfire dinner.

Four-Day Epic Summer Itinerary

Families looking for a weekend escape can enjoy an abbreviated version of the seven-day guided trip featuring white water rafting, a scenic gondola ride to an easy guided hike and mountaintop picnic, horseback riding and time for shopping in the towns of Vail and Breckenridge.

Environmental Education & Carbon Offset

To round out the guest experience and engage family members of all ages in the unique natural settings of the Epic Summer adventure, key messages about local flora and fauna, geology, geography and history of the region will be artfully integrated into guest activities. As a further complement to the experience and in keeping with Vail Resorts' commitment to environmental stewardship, the carbon impacts associated with the lodging and transportation portion of each guest's trip will be offset to support development of renewable energy throughout the country.

All-Inclusive Pricing

The Epic Summer trips run from June 26, 2009 through Sept. 6, 2009. Both packages include experienced guides, accommodations in well-appointed condominiums or lodge rooms in Keystone or Breckenridge resorts, all featured activities, transportation to and from all activities, ground transfers to/from Denver International Airport and all meals. Airfare is not included. The Epic Summer trips are recommended for children ages 6 and older.

The six-night, seven-day all-inclusive package is priced at $1,195 for adults and $895 for children (ages 12 and under). It begins on Sunday evenings with a welcome reception and dinner in Keystone Resort and ends after breakfast on Saturdays.

The three-night, four-day package is $695 for adults and $545 for children (ages 12 and under). It begins on Thursday evenings with a welcome reception and dinner in Keystone Resort and ends after breakfast on Sundays.

For more information and reservations, call 888-538-EPIC (3742) or visit www.epicsummer.com. Vail Resorts will begin taking reservations for the Epic Summer trips on April 1, 2009.

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Put Some Spring In Your Step and Take Advantage of Colorado's Spring Break Deals and Events

/PRNewswire/ -- Colorado's sunny days, legendary spring skiing, festivals and special events make it an ideal spring break vacation destination. This year, Colorado's resorts are offering deals like never before. Below are just a few ways to enjoy spring in Colorado. For a complete list of packages, visit www.colorado.com/deals

Dynamite Deals

-- Head to Telluride and save big with the Spring Ski & Stay Package.
This includes a four-nights stay at select hotel and condominium
properties and a three-day lift ticket starting at just $119 per
person, per night. www.visittelluride.com
-- Durango Mountain Resort and Frontier Airlines have teamed up to
provide air-inclusive spring ski packages. Three-day/three-night
air-inclusive packages, including round-trip flights, lift tickets and
lodging start at just $425 per person. 800-525-0892,
www.durangomountainresort.com
-- Crested Butte is offering an outstanding "Friends and Family Fly Free"
program. When visitors book a Crested Butte vacation for three or more
people, every third airline ticket is free. Air fare, lodging and lift
ticket packages start as low as $584 per person. Valid through April
5, 2009 with restrictions. www.skicb.com
-- Thanks to Colorado Springs' mild-climate, golf enthusiasts can hit the
greens nearly any day of the year. The Broadmoor's Winter Spa & Golf
Getaway includes accommodations, a 70-minute deep tissue massage, a
round of golf, range balls and more. Package start at $405 per person,
per night. Available through April, 2009. www.broadmoor.com
-- Skiing Stimulus Package: Hayden Lodge and Capital Peak Lodge at
Snowmass' new Base Village. Snowmass Base Village, Hayden Lodge and
Capitol Peak Lodge are extending discounts of up to 75-percent off
during the 2008/2009 ski season. The new lodges - the first new
accommodations built in Snowmass in more than 20 years - boast nearly
100 residences with ski-in/ski-out access to the Elk Camp Gondola and
the Village Express chairlift, and are steps from the Treehouse Kids'
Adventure Center, as well as new restaurants and shops.
www.aspensnowmasshospitality.com
-- Winter Park's "4th Night Free" package. Guests will receive the fourth
night of lodging free when they book a three-night stay at Fraser
Crossing and Founders Pointe. This lodging deal is available all
season long and as a bonus guests will receive a free children's lift
ticket with the purchase of any adult lift ticket.
www.skiwinterpark.com
-- Keystone's Daylight Savings. Book Keystone's ski free, stay free
package from $283 for three nights of lodging slope-side at the River
Run Village and three days of sunset skiing or riding, and get free
activities like yoga classes and a GPS treasure hunt, plus coupons
worth more than $100. www.keystoneresort.com
-- Half-Off Vail for Spring. Save 50 percent on lodging at Sun Vail -
prices start at $235 per night from March 28-April 19 for a
two-bedroom condominium with a two-night minimum stay. www.vail.com.


Hot Happenings

-- Skijoring & The Crystal Carnival - March 7-8, 2009. Watch skiers,
pulled by riders on horseback, compete over a series of snow-packed
jumps through downtown Leadville. www.leadville.com
-- Head to Aspen/Snowmass for the 9th Annual Bud Light Spring Jam. The
Bud Light Spring Jam is two weekends of new-school competitions and
downtown concerts held March 20-22 and 27-29, 2009. For a complete
listing of activities, visit www.aspensnowmass.com
-- River Run's Blues & Barbecue Festival in Keystone, March 28, 2009.
Enjoy dynamic live music and lip-smacking brews. www.keystone.snow.com
-- Spring Massive in Breckenridge, April 1-19, 2009. An interactive event
including music, family fun and on-hill competitions. Events include
the Bite of Breckenridge, Massive Comedy Nights, Massive Brewfest,
Massive Competition Weekend and the ever-popular season finale -
Massive Music Weekend. www.breckenridge.snow.com

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