Navigating new terrain may be an obvious perk of taking a lesson with Ski & Snowboard School, but the views and thrills aren’t the only gems you will discover when you spend a day with us. Full day lessons include a break for lunch, and we want to share some of our favorite spots you can start dreaming of as you prepare for your trip.

1. Take your breath away with lunch at Windows Deck. We have a lot of open decks, but this one overlooks Sun Down Bowl (one of the Famous Vail back bowls) and Holy Cross Mountain, and you can watch skiers and riders just OWNING it. Follow your nose to Wildwood’s famous barbecue, where you can grab a steaming plate of ribs and pork “to-go” and then make your way to a secluded spot at Windows Deck.


2. Do you like dogs? Go check out Henry’s Hut - it’s named after Henry, the very first Vail patrol dog, and it’s right across from Buffalo’s and Patrol HQ. It’s a warming hut, so you can pop inside and warm-up, then head out to the deck to watch the dogs train at Dog Town - it’s equal parts adorable and impressive. Every Sunday, Helly Hansen invites you to Dine With The Dogs between 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM, where you can grab an early lunch and meet members of the Vail Ski Patrol and their avalanche dogs.


3. Want to party like a local? Pack a lunch or bring food to grill, and head up to Belle’s Camp. It’s over in Blue Sky Basin, about 7 miles from the front of the mountain, by the end of SkyLine Express Lift (#37). You can get snacks in the warming hut and hang out for a bit. Remember to BYOBB - Bring Your Own Beach Ball! 

You’ll probably find an instructor or two at one of these places most days, but we hear about new hidden gems all the time. What are your favorites?