THE LODGE AT VAIL
OUR LEGACY
Vail’s most iconic hotel since 1962 in the Heart of Vail Village and just steps from Gondola One.
THE LODGE AT VAIL WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT between Vail Corporation and the US Forest Service.
THE FIRST HOTEL IN VAIL
The agreement stipulated that at least 30 sleeping rooms be included in the development prior to opening day of the ski mountain.
The Vail Corporation had no funds available to build a lodge and major hotel chains were not interested in building in a remote mountain village they thought had no future.
DURING THAT TIME, NO SKI RESORT IN THE UNITED STATES WAS SUCCESSFULLY MAKING A PROFIT.
DURING THAT TIME, NO SKI RESORT IN THE UNITED STATES WAS SUCCESSFULLY MAKING A PROFIT.
Business associates of architect Fitzhugh Scott: George Caulkins, Keith Brown and Harly Higbee formed a partnership called the Vail Associates. Fitzhugh Scott, designed, built and lived in the first permanent structure in Vail, The Lodge at Vail.
COMPLETED JUST ONE MONTH PRIOR TO OPENING DAY ON DECEMBER 15, 1962,
COMPLETED JUST ONE MONTH PRIOR TO OPENING DAY ON DECEMBER 15, 1962,
The Lodge at Vail opened with 65 guest rooms, a dining room, a cocktail lounge, a rathskeller and a cafeteria.
PRESIDENT GERALD FORD, PRIOR TO HIS PRESIDENCY,
PRESIDENT GERALD FORD, PRIOR TO HIS PRESIDENCY,
borrowed $50k against his children’s life insurance plans to purchase a 3 bedroom condo at The Lodge at Vail. When The Lodge at Vail could no longer provide proper security for then President Gerald Ford, he rented a house next door to Ellie and George Caulkins on Mill Creek Circle before going on to purchase a home in Beaver Creek.
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