The drive from Denver to Vail is not too bad in good weather but throw in snow/ice/wind, etc., etc., the roads can get quite dicey in addition to very slow moving traffic. If you're headed to Vail for holidays, flying into EGE is most likely the better move for a host of reasons both tangible (ex: roads, traffic, weather) and intangible (ex: less stress). The CRJs are decent jets...nothing fancy but safe and reasonably comfortable IMHO if a little on the small side...I've flown them often and don't mind them at all.