• Drink up: Aprés ski or not to aprés ski, that is not the question -- the question is, where to go? A good answer: The Tap Room (333 Bridge St., 970-479-0500, taproomvail.com), which has the prime people-watching location on the second floor, overlooking Bridge Street, with a fireplace for warming up after you step out onto the porch to see what's what. The setting is blessedly low-key and rustic, not frou-frou, and there's a menu of burgers and snacks to go with the top-notch cocktails and draft beers. Cigar smokers can head to the back, and sports fans will be happy with the TVs.

• Go Western: If shopping is why you visit a ski area, then Vail is a smorgasbord. One of our top places to peruse for cool stuff is KemoSabe (230 Bridge St., 970-479-7474, kemosabe.com). The wood-scented, packed-to-the-gills store is hung with cowboy hats and lined with boots, and offers other terrific, well-crafted leather goods and turquoise jewelry. KemoSabe also features a group of personal shoppers who will track down whatever you're looking for. Bonus: go online and let them know when you're stopping in, and they'll have a cold brew of your choosing waiting when you arrive (just click on ``reserve a beer'').

• Back to school: If it isn't the largest ski school in Colorado, Vail Snowsports School (970-476-9090, vail.snow.com/winter/ss.asp) may well be the most organized and diverse, with hundreds of instructors with an amazing variety of backgrounds, skill levels and interests. One of the most compelling arguments for its success is its large teen program, decidedly the most difficult group to win over; the instructors work hard to make the sessions feel comfortable socially while helping the students to the next level on the slopes.

• Ice, ice, baby: Not everyone likes to be outside in the cold, which is why it's so cool that in Vail, you can be inside in the cold at some point each day at Dobson Ice Arena (321 E. Lionshead Circle, 970-479-2271, vailrec.com) during its public skate times. Let out your inner Peggy Fleming or Scott Hamilton at this huge ice rink, which also offers group and private lessons. Good family activity on those off days when you need a break from the slopes.

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