Beaver Creek & Vail :

and weight to have the bindings set correctly. Ski equipment rentals start at $45 per day. Demo skis are an additional $15 per day. For more information, call 970-476-9457 or visit their website at VailSports.com. If you'd like to reserve your ski rental equipment ahead of time, visit RentSkis.com or call 800-544-6648.

WILDWOOD RESTAURANT
After exchanging my Mountain Money voucher for a lift ticket, it's a short walk to the Vista Bahn Express Lift, which swiftly takes us up the mountain. You'll have to exit left and catch the Wildwood Express Lift to get to the top and the restaurant. Sorry, no foot passengers allowed up here for lunch!

Lunch is an authentic barbecue, two miles high in the sky. The Wildwood Restaurant has great views of the Mount of the Holy Cross to the south and the Gore Range to the north. The place is known for its chicken and wild rice soup and it's a no-brainer to order it! The restaurant is set up cafeteria-style and you can get away with lunch for under $20 without alcohol.

SKINNG VAIL
Before lunch, the sky was blue and the sun was shinning. But it turned considerably colder and a storm was brewing. You could see it approaching off in the distance. Always dress in layers so you'll be warm. The weather can change at the drop of a hat in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

We started off on a great intermediate blue trail called Hunky Dory. It ran into a green run named The Meadows. Hopping on the Mountaintop Express Lift, we came down Swingsville, which is a great green rated option, too.

If you're an expert skier then there's no shortage of black diamond runs for you to let loose on. Many experts like riding the Highline Express and challenging themselves on runs such as Blue Ox, Highline and Rodgers Run.

The next time you're planning a ski vacation, check out Vail and what it has to offer. It's where everything new is happening. This includes a visionary billion-dollar renovation project. So come and discover the new Vail. You'll have a blast, too! For more information, call 877-204-7781 or visit their website at Vail.com.

SWEET BASIL'S VAIL VILLAGE
With the impressive distinction of being voted the "best restaurant in Colorado" by the Zagat survey, you simply cannot go wrong dining at Sweet Basil's. Located in the heart of Vail village, it offers a sophisticated yet comfortable blend of innovative cuisine and local specialties like buffalo and elk. With over 500 carefully chosen wine selections, the very personable and gracious sommelier can guide you with ease to several wonderful choices.

This restaurant could easily be in New York City or Los Angeles. With a heightened attention to aesthetic detail, Sweet Basil's vibe is sleek, modern and very comfortable. The wait staff dressed in black was very courteous and professional, attentive and ready to serve. After a great day on the mountain, we all had hearty appetites.

The starting appetizer was organic Mache salad with port poached pear, walnuts, fennel and champagne vinaigrette. It was incredibly fresh and artfully presented with an interesting and dynamic sweet and savory taste combination. Next was the fennel crusted Hawaiian ahi tuna with olive oil poached potatoes, and haricots verts with tarragon crème fraiche. If sushi is your thing, you'll melt over this medium rare, beautiful deep pink tuna sliced in bite size portions. It is an omega-3 symphony for the senses!

The signature dessert of hot sticky toffee cake with fresh whipped cream and Meyer's rum sauce is a must. It was sweet but not too sweet and the blend of rum and toffee sauce is a brilliant combination. It could be a great dessert or a pick-me-up for an après ski snack. It really hit the spot. Sweet Basil, 193 Gore Creek Drive, Vail, CO, 81657, Tel: 970-476-0125.

OVERALL
I've got a lot of good memories skiing with friends in Aspen over the years, but skiing The Beaver Creek Resort and Vail has been even better. The people are friendlier and more down to earth here. In addition, both destinations are easier to get to and Vail offers a more ski-able terrain than all three of Aspen's mountains combined. If you're a family with little ones, then your decision is simple. Beaver Creek wins hands down. With world-class spas and restaurants, outdoor activities like snowshoeing and dog sledding to inspire you, a memorable vacation is waiting for you.

DEALING WITH ALTITUDE SICKNESS    By: Elizabeth Kochor

Once you're enjoying your Beaver Creek Resort and Vail adventure, don't let a bout of altitude sickness derail your vacation. The symptoms include headaches, light headiness, dehydration and nausea.

As altitude increases, oxygen levels decrease and everyone's body reacts differently. The single most important thing you can do is to drink a lot of water for ....