Lionshead's New Look

Skiers weave through the center of Vail Square from the base area at Lionshead.

Is this a dream? We could lose ourselves in Rimini's gelato.

Vail Square is home to a variety of new clothing stores, from chic Avalon to high-end outerwear at Patagonia.

Where are we? Innsbruck? St. Moritz? Oh yes … We’re here in the new Lionshead at Vail Square. This isn’t anything like the Lionshead we’ve ever known. Lionshead was formerly that less aesthetically pleasing end of Vail characterized by a handful of classy, yet not architecturally pleasing, shoebox shops and restaurants.

This winter, Lionshead has undergone a major transformation. Rock Resorts completed its grand new hotel – The Arrabelle, featuring luxury rooms with 24-hour butler service and multi-million-dollar residences.

The hotel is wrapped around a village, chalk full of eateries ranging from fancy French fine dining (Centre V) to a brand new Blue Moose pizzeria. New clothing stores include the high-end European-like Avalon to outdoor favorites Burton and Patagonia, plus a Vail Chophouse, a mini ice rink, a Starbucks (of course), and our personal favorite, Rimini. Rimini makes gourmet gelato of every mouth-watering flavor, home-made hot chocolate and panini and is an outlet for the finest chocolates (including gelato truffles) and wines.