Vail is one of the few ski resorts where the scale really is the story. The back bowls, the village, the lift network, and the sheer acreage all make it feel like a global ski brand because it's one. The smarter take is that Vail can be both great and too much at the same time.
The mountain rewards skiers who move with a plan. If you chase the obvious routes at the obvious times, Vail can feel crowded and expensive before it feels special. If you use the terrain network well, it can deliver the kind of long, varied day that smaller resorts simply can't match.
The cost, crowd, and logistics belong in the recommendation. Vail isn't the mountain to pick just because someone has heard of it. It's the mountain to pick when the group wants the full mega-resort experience and understands the trade.