Replying to U.S. Open. Need some info

I'm gonna go this year cause i'm in Cali and its real cheap to get to Denver from here. I wanted to know a few things before I start booking shit that I can't find on Vail's site.

Where does the comp take place? Lionshead, Village, somehwere else?

Where is the best place to stay if you could stay anywhere you wanted? I would like to be close to comp and I'm gonna try to get a decent sized room or place cuz for some after-afterparty shit.

Is it worth showing up a day or two before? Is anyone there practicing and shit?