Yes, we have our own review system. If you know anything about skiing, then you are aware that the ski runs in ski resorts like Vail are all categorized according to their difficulty.
So if you are a beginner you know which runs match your ability and if you are an expert skier you can identify the fun runs that will make for an incredible ski day.
- Green Circle: Beginner runs that are the easiest
- Blue Square: Intermediate
- Black Diamond: Advanced
- Double Black Diamond: Expert Only
The ski run classifications are the basis of our local Vail reviews! You can see a Double Black Diamond Bloody Mary in a Green Circle establishment. See below for more examples of the rating system.
As with all our reviews, we don’t just review them once or twice but consistently go back to see if the rating has changed. We don’t believe in giving bad reviews because this is our town and a lot of the owners are our friends. Everyone can have an off day, and we want to get them every chance to shine. The same is true for our Double Black ratings. If we consistently go back and the item, place, person or event is fantastic, then it will get the Double Black Diamond review! So if you really want to be up on the details come back often!
Example of Our Local Vail Reviews
Some establishments will have a Green Circle rating for ambiance but will get a Black Diamond rating for an appetizer or a martini. A Green Circle means it’s simple interior, nothing fancy or unique but clean and the doors are open. We will explain all the details of our ratings as we go along don’t worry if your not a skier and are coming to Vail on your summer or fall vacation.
Black Diamond rating means the espresso martini is terrific and you should definitely stop by and have one to start your night. If you are interested in an appetizer because tonights your appetizer crawl then adding this special Black Diamond appetizer is worth it.
Hopefully, this Local Vail review system gives our followers the locals insider perception of what the place is really like. We really do love Vail and the surrounding communities and want to promote it. These are just two examples so feel free to check out the rest of the reviews on our review tab.
Just so you know, we are committed to going out and exploring all the bars, restaurants, people and events. Who wouldn’t want that job?
If you ever have any questions you can email us anytime!
Why did we start Livin the Black Diamond Life website?
We started the website mostly for fun and the fact we could pack the website full of info without doing too much more work. We are locals and have been to all of the places, eaten most items, been to all of the events and explored the area. Most of us have lived here over 25 years.
Secondly, we could experiment with the website and the social presence without “the man” without any marketing experience telling us what to do on the website and social media channels.
Yes, we do reviews on the whole community, not just Vail Village.
Coming to Vail, Colorado for your vacation does include the surrounding communities. The Vail Valley as we call includes, Eagle-Vail, Minturn, Red Cliff, Avon, Edwards, Eagle, Gypsum. These are the towns, and the ski areas are Vail, Beaver Creek, and Arrowhead.
Sometimes we throw information about Leadville and Summit County. Summit County for your info includes the town’s of Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillion & Breckenridge. The ski area’s in Summit are Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Abasin. Loveland Ski Area is just before all the Summit Ski Areas on I-70.
If we are about and about in the area we want to share the information with our guests and our locals, so that’s why we add a bit about the surrounding communities. Often they have some exciting events happening so we want to include details about that.
Do We offer Vail Ski Packages from any of the Vail Lodging partners?
We will certainly alert you to any ski packages we find from area hotels, lodges, and condos. We get updates from our local partners, and ski packages are usually on the list. All packages even for the summer and off seasons are often included. We share this info on our website and social media channels plus send it to our email list. If you would like to be included in that email list send us a note here.
If we find any deals or specials, our readers need to know about we will post them and send emails- not too many, just enough to get you excited about everything Vail!
Yes, we do offer concierge services!
If you happen to be staying at a local Vail home, Airbnb, VRBO or some other place that does not have a concierge then we can fill that need for you. You can read all of our reviews for free, but if you want us to create an itinerary for your stay, there is a small fee. If you want us to make reservations that costs a bit more. Contact us directly to discuss. It’s not very expensive just to pay for the website and the espresso martinis!
Enjoy our website! Hopefully, it provides the information about Vail, Colorado and Vail Ski Area you were looking to find. We also wanted it to be fun!
