We asked Ira Riklis, “Where is your favorite place for skiing?” He responded:
“This brings me to my love of Vail. Vail is the largest single mountain ski resort in the United States. That provides a massive amount of terrain to traverse. Unlike other ski towns such as Aspen, Steamboat Springs or Breckenridge which were actual towns prior to the establishment of their ski resorts, the town of Vail grew as a result of the Vail ski resort.”
Ira Riklis continued:
” The area was used during World War II as a training ground for the 10th Mountain Division. Some of the mountain shelters used in the training are still around and available for rent for camping, hiking and off-roading adventures. Veterans of the 10th Mountain, remembering the beauty of the area, returned in the late 50’s with dreams to create a world class ski resort.
“Even more important to me, Vail is famous for the quality and extent of the grooming of the terrain. Every day there will be numerous slopes, many of them black diamond “Expert” slopes, which have been groomed overnight. This dedication to grooming is part of the “secret sauce” that has propelled Vail from a brand new mountain and village 47 years ago into one of the premier ski venues in the world.”
[...] Ira Riklis loves to ski and his favorite ski resort Vail, Colorado. He has been skiing for almost 45 years. He calls himself “a mountain cruiser” skiing on steep groomed slopes. Funny enough he skis on racing skis and doesn’t do moguls. Like in his business life it’s all about the speed. Not one to show fear or hesitate, he started going fast right from the beginning. [...]