When you are on vacation in Vail Mountain Colorado you will find plenty of opportunities to enjoy all of the best outdoor activities. You can ski, snowboard, or take a trip on the mountain bike. You can also visit some of the most famous attractions in the area. From the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens to the Walking Mountains Science Center, you can see a lot of interesting things during your stay in Vail.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
Located in Vail, Colorado, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is one of the top botanical gardens in the United States. The garden is surrounded by mountains and streams and offers breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. It has a multitude of unique alpine plants.
The gardens are open 365 days a year. They offer guided tours and seasonal events. There is also an Education Center, which offers a variety of hands-on activities for children.
Since its inception, the Betty Ford Alpine Garden has been recognized for its alpine horticulture. Staff members collect seeds for seed banking and participate in habitat preservation projects. Their goal is to contribute more value to the worldwide conservation network.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is a hidden gem at the base of Vail. Known for its high-elevation plants, the garden is a serene oasis of calm. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, bird watching, birding and yoga classes, and celebrations of food, art, and culture.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is located near the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. This is a popular venue for concerts and other major events in the Vail area. Free daytime parking is available in the Ford Park Parking Lot.
Visitors to the gardens can enjoy guided hikes and self-guided snowshoeing. During winter, visitors can rent a snowshoe for $5.
The Betty Ford Alpine Garden is located in Ford Park in Vail, Colorado. Betty Ford was the first lady of the Vail Valley. She was a philanthropist and helped the valley flourish.
The Betty Ford Alpine Garden is open to the public from dawn to dusk. It features waterfalls, streams, a Japanese garden, a meditation spot, and Rocky Mountain plantings.
195 ski trails
Vail is one of the most popular ski resorts in the world. It has a vertical drop of 3,450 feet and over 5,300 acres of skiable terrain. The resort is located 100 miles west of Denver.
It is easy to get to from the Denver International Airport. Located in the mountains of Colorado, Vail has a fun party atmosphere and gourmet restaurants.
Vail offers a wide variety of activities, including mountain roller coasters, zip lines, and alpine coasters. The resort also boasts a unique ski school. Whether you’re a first time skier or an expert, Vail has something for you.
For those looking to take their skills to the next level, Vail has an impressive set of backcountry skiing opportunities. With over 100 trails and over 6,000 acres of skiable terrain, you’ll have plenty of places to practice your moves.
Vail is home to some of the hardest ski runs in the country. In fact, it ranks in the top 10 of the most difficult ski resorts in North America. While most of the runs have a gradual gradient of 25 percent or less, some have steeper gradients up to 40 percent.
Another reason to visit Vail is its famous apres-ski. Skiers can relax on the slopes or relive their favorite memories at a mountain roller coaster. And don’t forget to enjoy a moonlight sleigh ride.
For families, it’s easy to find an outdoor activity for everyone to enjoy. There are hiking, horseback riding, and canoeing trails in Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Also, families can have dinner in a cozy log cabin.
Vail has a wide range of restaurants, clubs, and bars. These include nine signature restaurants and nine bars.
Two Elk Trail mountain biking trail
The Two Elk Trail is one of the most eagerly anticipated openings in Eagle County every year. It has long been considered one of the most spectacular mountain bike trails in the state. Located near Vail, it offers a unique combination of fast, flowing singletrack and gravel road that quickly and effortlessly takes riders deep into the mountains.
Unlike many other trails in the area, the Two Elk Trail remains open for most of the year. But in the spring and summer, the trail is closed to all users. This is due to elk migration.
If you are planning a visit to Vail, the best time to check out the Two Elk Trail is during the early fall. From mid-October through the end of March, you can still experience the awe-inspiring views of the Gore and Sawatch mountain ranges. You can also take advantage of the gondola services at Vail Resorts.
There are two trailheads to access the Two Elk Trail. Both are on the west side of the Vail Pass. Whether you’re going up or down, you’ll enjoy the scenic views.
There are plenty of loops to choose from. Some popular routes include the Radio Flyer, which drops 1,257 feet from the top of the Eagle’s Nest. Other trails include the Hank’s Hideaway, which is a meandering, 1.8-mile trail through towering aspen groves.
There are hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails in the Vail area. Many of them are designed to provide excellent cross-country riding. Others are more suited for experienced riders. For beginners, there are guided tours offered by Lakota Guides.
The Two Elk Trail is not the easiest trail to ride. It has steep, technical sections, as well as bridges and large rocks. However, it is a great option for experienced riders looking for a unique adventure in the Colorado mountains.
Walking Mountains Science Center
The Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing engaging natural science and sustainability programs. Whether it’s an educational tour of the local wetlands or a full day hike of Colorado’s backcountry, you’ll find it here. Founded in 1998, the center is the brainchild of Kim Langmaid. Now, Walking Mountains serves more than 127,000 students and adults each year through four locations. They also help local businesses and organizations reduce their carbon footprint through a number of innovative and low-impact measures.
While Walking Mountains certainly does its share of good deeds, the real reward comes from the hundreds of thousands of residents that the center helps each year. Through education, stewardship, and community collaboration, the organization strives to ensure a greener tomorrow. One way they do this is through their Zero Waste diversion program. Similarly, they’ve helped Vail earn its coveted Mountain IDEAL Sustainable Destination certification.
The most important thing to know about the Science Center is that they offer a full complement of activities for both young and old. For instance, you can find a Science Center with the latest technology, a LEED Platinum Science Center, or a fun nature park. In addition to all of these cool venues, you can also catch a free gondola ride up the Eagle Bahn, which boasts some of the best views in the West.
There’s a reason the Walking Mountains Science Center is dubbed the “Crown Prince of the mountains.” Whether you’re looking for a hands-on learning experience or a fun and informative scavenger hunt, you’ll be well served here. Unlike most museums and tourist attractions, the Science Center does most of its magic on your doorstep, meaning your family and friends are never too far away from a cool educational program.
Craft beer scene
Vail Mountian Colorado has a craft beer scene that is growing at a rapid pace. The area has over 300 craft breweries, making it the largest craft beer region in the country. Its rich history in homegrown brews can be spotted all over the place, from Rocky Mountain Brewery to Zang’s.
Some of the best brews come from Colorado. Pug Ryan’s, for instance, is one of the early pioneers of the Summit County craft beer scene. They’ve been brewing since 1996.
Boulder Beer, Pug Ryan’s, and Elevation Beer are some of the most popular in the state. You can find them all at the Vail Farmers’ Market, where they sell a variety of local goods.
Vail Brewing Company is another great destination for a Colorado craft beer experience. Their craft beers have been featured at the World Beer Cup, and they’ve also won North American Brewers’ Association awards.
Vail Brewing Company is the perfect spot for a beer after an exciting day of outdoor fun in the mountains. If you’re looking for a more casual beer experience, check out the Ale House. This brewpub is known for its pool and late night music, and they have a large selection of beers.
Broken Compass Brewing is another local gem. Jason Ford and his wife Jo run this small brewery, and they can experiment with small batches of inventive flavors. Unlike many Colorado breweries, they’re not interested in large-scale distribution.
The Vail Craft Beer Classic is a three-day event that celebrates the craft beer scene in the area. This event features workshops, tours, and live music. Guests can also attend fly fishing trips and yoga classes.