Vail Skiing without the Schlep: Antlers at Vail + Ski Butlers

In addition to fitting Antlers' guests with top-of-the-line ski and snowboard gear in the comfort of their guest suites, Ski Butlers serves the hotel as in-house ski valet, storing guest equipment and schlepping it to the slopes and back free of charge. And with Vail Mountain Resort reporting 16 feet of snow and counting this season with some glorious recent deep powder days, the service has quickly become a favorite at the Antlers.

“We're lucky to be located just 150 yards from Vail's Eagle Bahn Gondola,” says LeVine. “But there's such luxury in not having to worry about your gear. We're a skiing and snowboarding home-away-from-home to a lot of families, and especially for parents with children too small to carry their own equipment, this service can feel life-changing.”

Antlers at Vail, rated #1 by TripAdvisor in the Vail Specialty Lodging category, is known for its focus on customer service, including a long list of complimentary amenities from free yoga classes and loaner GoPro cameras to a loaning library of kitchen appliances and a green car charger. Ski Butlers puts a similar emphasis on customer service, including answering special requests like swapping out skis for snowboards mid-trip, or helping guests track down such basics as gloves and warmer jackets. And from the beginning, the company's model of helping skiers avoid long rental lines by bringing fittings and gear directly to guest lodgings has been all about making the guest experience easy.

Ski Butlers rentals are also a hit with travelers who may discover at the last minute that steep airline fees can run up to $225 one way for checking heavy and bulky ski bags. “Plus Ski Butlers can recommend the best skis based on actual conditions when you arrive,” says LeVine. “Big run on powder skis lately,” he adds with a smile.

Founded in 2004 in Park City, Utah, Ski Butlers now serves over 30 North American resorts in Colorado, California, Utah, Wyoming and British Columbia, Canada. Ski Butlers award winning service makes renting ski and snowboard equipment convenient and hassle-free all for the same price or less than most resort ski shops. Ski Butlers is the only ski shop in Vail/Beaver Creek Colorado to win the Vail Valley Platinum Service Award for exceptional customer service. For more information visit www.skibutlers.com.

The Antlers at Vail hotel offers a relaxed Vail lodging experience in a fabulous mountain setting and was recently awarded Vail's highest-level Platinum lodging rating, as well as earning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and GreenLeader status. With condominiums ranging from studio suites up to four-bedroom penthouses, every unit at the Antlers enjoys a fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, private balcony, daily maid service, and complimentary Wi-Fi and parking. The Antlers has an A+ location on the banks of Gore Creek, just steps from restaurants, galleries, shops, free Vail town shuttle and the Lionshead Gondola. For more information and reservations visit www.antlersvail.com.