Lion Square Lodge was initiated by a group of developers commencing in 1971. There are four phases to the lodge, the first being Lion Square Lodge Phase I- or the East Building. The four phases were built out over a three-year period (1971-1974).
The Phase IV, or North property was initially part of the Montaneros development but the Montaneros developer had financial problems and sold the interest to the Lion Square developing partners. The North building sits across the road from Lion Square Phases I and Phase II/III. It is easy to imagine how the central pool area could have served both Montaneros and Lion Square North.
In the 1970’s, there were few lodges in the area and Lion Square has always enjoyed a wonderful location next to the main portal to the Vail Ski Mountain. The gondola building was located a bit further away but the ski yard was still in the general same location as to where it is now located. In the mid 1990’s, the gondola was relocated even closer to Lion Square Lodge presenting an even better ski in-ski out experience.
Lion Square Lodge did not own the land that the pool area now sits on. Lion Square had a long term lease for the land that was due to expire in 2013. Vail Resorts needed land to gain access for the new Arrabelle development project in the heart of Lionshead for access, building set backs, and utility easements. Vail Resorts and the three Lion Square Lodge Associations worked through a series of land trades so that both parties could benefit. The pool area land and the tract of green space were acquired by Lion Square as a result of this agreement. This agreement also contemplated the North Building redevelopment project and future upgrades to both Phase I and Phase II/III.
Lion Square Lodge was one of the first condominium projects to have legitimate meeting rooms on site. It is rare that a developer would give up valuable sellable square footage with magnificent views for meeting space. The pool area sits right on the Gore Creek with wonderful green space adjacent to it. The pool area was totally demolished and renovated in 2001. The Gore Creek has been known for years as a “Gold Medal” trout stream.
Now that Lion Square Lodge is over 35 years old, the Board of Directors of the three Associations and the Lion Square Lodge owners are committed to making significant upgrades to the property to remain competitive. Lion Square Lodge has a history of being a favorite destination for Front Range, US and International travelers both in summer and winter.
In 2008 Lion Square Lodge began a comprenhensive renovation of the North Building interior and exterior designed to compliment the resort's European elegance. 27 condominiums will be completely renovated and expanded, while 9 new Tower Residences will be added as well as an excerise facility and hot tub area. The redevelopment is scheduled to be completed in the fall 2009.
Vail was founded by Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton in 1962, between the town of Eagle, Colorado and Vail Pass, which was named after Charles Vail, designer of the highway that passed through the valley. Seibert joined the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division during World War II, which trained at Camp Hale, just southeast of Vail. During Seiberts' and Eatons' time with the 10th, they trained at several resorts around the Vail area, such as Loveland, Keystone and Aspen. While roaming the area mountains, Seibert and Eaton discovered a peak that had the perfect location and base area for a resort, they named this peak "No-name Mountain", but it would eventually become Vail. Construction of the Vail resort began in 1962 in a valley devoid of civilization. It opened just 6 months later on December 15th. There were 3 lifts upon opening, one gondola that ran from the frontside base to the peak, a lift from mid-mountain to the peak, and a lift that brought skiers back up from the back bowls. In just 7 years, Vail had grown to become the most popular ski resort in Colorado, and a village had started forming at the base, near the gondola, which had been replaced since its opening. Also at that time, the construction of the infamous I-70 highway had begun.
During the 1970s, Vail had blossomed into a Super-resort, and skiers and vacationers had started paying Euro-trip prices for a Colorado vacation. Subsequently, Vail's Euro-esque village began construction and expansion.
In 1972, Vail and Beaver Creek were slated to host the Skiing portions of the 1976 Winter Olympic Games. However, the voters of Colorado shot down the idea, and the 1976 Winter Games went to Innsbruck, Austria.
On March 26th, 1976, Vail’s success was tainted by a gondola accident at Lionshead. A carrying cable snagged on a support tower and caused two cabins to snag and derail off the high towers, killing four and injuring eight. The gondola closed the remainder of the season until the Von Roll Lift Company installed a state-of-the-art monitoring system, preventing any further accidents.
In 1982, Vail had another chance to be the center of attention of the international skiing community when it hosted, to incredible hype and success, the Alpine Skiing World Cup. The Cup was held in Vail again a decade later, to even bigger fanfare.
In 1985, Vail opened 5 high-speed detachable quad lifts on the mountain, the second mountain in the country to use them, after Breckenridge.
1996 marked a huge change for the Vail Valley area ski resorts, as Vail Associates bought Vail Breckenridge Ski Resort and Heavenly Ski Resort. The parent company allowed skiers to buy an all-mountain pass that granted admission to all of their resorts.
In 1998, the Earth Liberation Front set fire to the resorts' Two Elk Lodge, Camp one, Ski Patrol HQ, and 2 lifts, causing US$12,000,000 in damage. A new Two Elk Lodge was built in place of the old one, as well as a new Camp one and ski patrol HQ, Poma Ski Lifts Co. was brought in to replace the 2 destroyed lifts with high speed quads.
In 2000, Vail unleashed Pete Seiberts ideal skiing vision, the Blue Sky Basin, an intermediate-expert backcountry area which offers mogul, gladed and tree skiing, and glorious cliffs and ridges. It has been heralded as one of the best skiing experiences in the world.
Vail has been declared the #1 Ski resort in the US 14 times over the last 17 years.
According to a press release on August 1, 2006, Vail began offsetting all of its power usage by purchasing wind power. They were the 2nd largest corporation in the United States to do so as well.
In summer 2007, Vail replaced the Highline double chair with a high-speed quad.
| RESORT STATISTICS |
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ELEVATION
Base: 8,120 ft (2,475 m)
Summit: 11,570 ft (3,527 m)
Vertical Rise: 3,450 ft (1,052 m) |
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| AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL: 346 inches (8.8 m) |
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TRAILS
Skiable area: 5,289 acres (21 km²)
Trails: 193 total (18% beginner, 29% intermediate, 53% advanced/expert)
Longest run: Riva Ridge - 4 miles (6.4 km)
Terrain Parks: 4
1 Superpipe |
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BOWLS: 10 (7 official)
Sun Down Bowl
Sun Up Bowl
China Bowl
Siberia Bowl
Tea Cup Bowl
Inner Mongolia Bowl
Outer Mongolia Bowl
Pete's Bowl
Earl's Bowl
Game Creek Bowl
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LIFTS: 34 total
1 Gondola (12 person)
16 High-Speed Quads
1 Fixed Grip Quad
2 Triple Chairs
5 Double Chairs
10 Surface Lifts
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