With its primo Lionshead location and perks like valet parking and a personal concierge, it’s no wonder “legendary” is in the name. Pull under the porte cochere at Vail Resorts’ Legendary Lodging at Ritz-Carlton, and you’re immediately offered a bottle of water to keep you hydrated in the dry mountain air. Head inside and grab a fireside seat in the Great Room while the staff transports your bags to your residence. The cozy Lobby Lounge has a full service bar and light dining options if you feel like staying close to home. But if you’re up for going out, options abound. Your concierge can make arrangements, and the complimentary house Suburban will be waiting at the appointed time. (Chat and warm up by the fire pit on your return.) Wake up in your stunningly beautiful condo the next day, then go check out the daylight-filled state-of-the-art fitness center and movement studio, and meet the wellness concierge. The kids will be asking, asking, asking to stop at the outdoor pool and hot tubs – an easy yes, yes, yes. There’s a spa therapist available by appointment, or you can book a half-day at the world-class RockResorts Spa at the nearby Arrabelle. Meanwhile, older kids can entertain themselves in the teen game room with foosball, pool, air hockey and a Wii console. When you’re finally ready to take on the slopes, grab your gear from the ski valet and save yourself the two-block walk to the Eagle Bahn Gondola – the door-to-door shuttle runs every 15 minutes.

Refined vacation residences include spacious two-bedroom, three-bath (plus a Mountain View option), or three-bedroom, four-bath condominiums, ranging from 1,500 to 2,600 square feet of posh living space. Inside, you’ll find impeccably furnished interiors with cozy gas fireplaces and wide-plank, hickory wood floors. Each unit is equipped with a gorgeous gourmet kitchen, complete with wine chiller, gleaming stainless steel Bosch appliances and granite countertops. That said, it’s nice to know in-room dining is available during ski season – in case your crew’s designated dinner-maker happens to overdo it on the slopes (it’s been known to happen). The bathrooms are luxuriously oversized, and the master has a garden soaking tub, heated floors – and steam showers in some residences. You’ll find walkout stone patios on the Terrace level, and impressive views from the higher floors.

Don’t fuss too much over where to eat for dinner – leave that to the 24-hour concierge, on call to work his/her magic with last-minute reservations at the best tables in town. Catch the complimentary shuttle a little early, giving yourselves time to browse the boutiques. Once dinner starts winding down, ask about the nearest piano bar, or places with live jazz. Dedicate a different evening later in the week to a pub-crawl through the best local microbreweries, or find a place to belt out your karaoke greatest hits. If it’s summer, take a Jeep tour, go river rafting or hire a fly fishing guide and spend some time perfecting your cast. Festivals, events and excursions keep guests entertained all year round. Check the Vail Village calendar for details, and let the concierge do the rest.