Welcome to The Ark at Vail, one of Vail's first vacation homes and the legacy of Vail's founding families.  This private ski-in / ski out / walk to lift residence provides a true mountain experience with views of Gore Range mountains and evergreen trees.  Surrounded by newer mansions worth tens of millions of dollars, this older home offers an exceptional location for a relatively modest price.  The Ark at Vail is an older home that has begun to benefit from owner investments.  The kitchen, dining, and living area were renovated in 2022, and the lower living room was updated in 2023.  The home has nice beds and linens, a spacious & comfortable main living room with vaulted ceilings and a lower living room that provides your group with space to spread out.  There are plenty of bedrooms for a large group, and customizable sleeping arrangements too.  All 4 of the King beds in this home can be split into Twin XL beds for groups with singles rather than couples.  The 5th bedroom has a Queen bed plus 2 Twins.  So, whether your group has 5 couples, 11 singles, or some mix, the bed setup of this home will make sure everyone is comfortable!  While the bathrooms in this home have not yet been updated, they are functional, and help make this home a relatively affordable property in one of the best locations that Vail has to offer.    

The location:
This is very special place to stay!  In ski season, some guests will be able to ski in and out, to and from the property, depending upon skier ability level, and snow conditions.  More on that in a moment.  When you rent this home, you'll have a private home surrounded by forest, yet all the shopping, dining, nightlife, and activities of Vail Village will be a short walk from your door.  It is only about 180 meters from the home, at 16 Forest Road, down to Mill Creek Road.  From there, it is only about 220 meters, and mostly flat, to Gondola One and the heart of Vail Village.  Follow Vail Road instead of Mill Creek Road and you'll find yourself in the heart of Vail's pedestrian village.  With little or no cars, walking around Vail Village is such a great experience.  Now for the ski in ski out access.  The beginner level ski trail "Vail Village Catwalk" is adjacent to this home and it's lot.  From that ski trail, a skier would ski down through the trees and would be able to ski right onto the back deck, off the living room.  On a powder day, there's no better way to come home, than through this untracked private land.  That said, skiing from the catwalk trail through the back yard would require an intermediate to advanced skier ability level.  If you stop on the Vail Village Catwalk trail, above the home, look down, and don't think you're up to it, then you simply continue down the trail to ski down towards Gondola One and make the short walk back to the home.  This is what beginner level skiers will do.  Intermediate skiers can take a look and judge for themselves.   Regardless of ability level, most guests will simply walk down the hill to Gondola One.  It's so easy!  That said, you could choose to ski out.  From the back deck, you would need to hike up the hill in the back yard for about 20 meters.  Then you could put on your skis and traverse across through the trees and down to Gondola One.  Again, this would be for intermediate to advanced skiers.

Whether it be an alpine getaway, a family reunion get together, or an outing with friends competing together in their favorite sport, this home is for you. Your group will have a memorable retreat or family vacation in this historic architectural gem, designed by Architect and Vail Founder Fitzhugh Scott.  This is a property that the U.S. Ski Team has called its home many times, and where countless mountain enthusiasts have vacationed.  Go back in time to one of Vail's original homes.  This house is a rare opportunity to experience a piece of Vail history.  You'll love the location, find comfort in the living areas and bedrooms, and really appreciate the charm. 

Please call us or inquire with any questions.  Our staff of professionally trained Vacation Rental specialists are available 7 days a week to assist you in your search to find the perfect vacation rental home.

** Disclosures/Disclaimers:
** Rental Agreements, Security Deposits, Rental Requirements - All hotels and rental properties have some rules and are subject to some amount of laws or regulations.  Please look for and review any Rental Agreement terms, House Rules, and or Terms and Conditions presented during the online booking process.  After booking, a Vacation Rental Agreement will be provided.  All guests are required to sign the agreement within 72 hours of booking, and prior to occupying the property. There may be other requirements.  For example, Guests may be required to provide additional information about the group that will occupy the property and or identification documents.  Background checks may be performed, and in some areas are required by local law.  Guests may be required to provide a credit card and or a refundable security/damage deposit.  We will be in touch after you book to gather additional information and to email you the rental agreement, which you can sign electronically - no printer required.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us before booking.
** Amenities - Some private or shared amenities may not be available for guest use during certain periods.  Some amenities, when part of a property, may close daily, seasonally, or for maintenance.  As such, all amenities can not be guaranteed to be available at all times.  Please advise us when or before booking if you have questions about a specific property amenity so that we can give you the most accurate information possible for your dates.
** Air Conditioning - Most mountain resort properties were not built with air conditioning.  During most hours of the day and weeks of the year, AC is not needed.  Summer nights are cool and fans are provided at most properties.   Check the average high and low temperatures and weather forecast for your dates of travel, and look at the list of amenities to see if AC or fans are part of the rental property and look for ceiling fans in photos.
** Group Sizes, High Occupancy Fees, & Maximum Occupancy - Some properties use a “High Occupancy Fee” to “raise the rate” for larger groups, and are thus able to list a lower nightly rate for smaller groups.  Each rental agreement and associated rates are for a specific group size.  Guests must enter the correct and maximum group size at the time of booking.  The agreement requires a guest to confirm the group size and subsequently, to disclose any changes to the planned group size, which may result in an increase, or decrease, to the total cost, and may result in a security deposit becoming required.
** Video & Noise Monitoring - Please note that noise monitoring devices, and security cameras, do exist on the exterior of the property. Cameras are positioned to cover all entrances and exits of the home.  Cameras are present to ensure the property remains secure and safe, as well as to ensure that guests are honest and upfront about their planned use of the property.  If you plan to bring more people than you've indicated, more dogs than indicated, to host a party or event, or do not intend to respect neighbors or the value and quality of the property, then this is not the place for you, and you should not book the property.  For normal, respectful groups, we are sorry that these statements and measures are necessary.  Security cameras and noise monitoring devices are an example and demonstration that the property's owners are taking steps to ensure the home remains available for rental, and in good condition, for your benefit. Please let us know if you have any concerns. 
** Cleaning Fees & Lengthy Rental Periods - The standard cleaning fee quoted as part of any booking is for the final cleaning, which is to be performed after the rental period has ended.  For guests who are booking a lengthy stay of more than one week, a mid stay-cleaning fee equal to the final cleaning fee may apply for the second week, third week, and so on.  If you are booking for a lengthy stay, please contact us before booking online to discuss your group, your dates, the rates, the cleaning schedule, etc.

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