Vail Mountain Winter Activities offers many opportunities for fun and adventure. There are snowmobiling tours, sleigh rides, ice skating, snowboarding lessons and tubing at Eagle’s Nest. In addition, there are many other activities that are popular in winter, including dog sledding, snowshoeing and ice fishing.
Sleigh rides
Sleigh rides are one of the most exciting Vail Mountain winter activities to enjoy. They are also perfect for families and couples alike. There are many options to choose from and they vary in length and cost. Many offer complimentary hot cocoa.
One of the best sleigh rides is a horse-drawn ride that takes you over open meadows and through the snow. The views are incredible and the experience is memorable. These rides can be found at several ranches in the area.
For the ultimate sleigh ride, visit 4 Eagle Ranch. This place offers the best of the best, including a full-service ranch dinner and signature sleigh rides. Besides the sleigh, you can also look forward to stargazing, open-hearth fires, and cowboy entertainment.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides are a classic Colorado experience. While they are great for the entire family, they are especially ideal for adults. You can enjoy a warm meal and a ride under the stars with a loved one or group of friends.
Another fun Vail Mountian winter activity is the ice bumper cars. This carnival-style ride is a popular way to spend a few minutes. It is a colorful sled-like vehicle that glides along the ice.
Dog sledding
Dog sledding is an outdoor winter activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family. This activity takes place in beautiful surroundings, allowing you to explore the Colorado wilderness.
There are several dog sled companies around Vail that offer guided tours. Several of them operate throughout the winter months. They typically use a large dog team, which makes the ride serene and peaceful. The experience includes a break for hot drinks and snacks.
Depending on your budget, you can choose from a variety of trips. For example, Good Times Adventure Tours offers a six-mile cruise through the Swan River Valley and a sled for all. You can also participate in a passenger sleigh or mushing.
During the dog sledding tour, you will be pulled by a well-trained team of Siberian Huskies. They will be driven by a professional guide.
Dog sledding tours will usually take 30-40 minutes to complete. This is a fun and unique experience for anyone.
Mountain Musher Dog Sled Rides is a well-established outfitter that has been providing dog sledding in Vail Valley since 1989. They offer morning and afternoon trips. The dogs have been featured on the Today Show, the Learning Channel, and “Colorado Getaways” magazine.
Ice skating
If you’re planning a vacation to Vail, Colorado this winter, consider spending a day or two ice skating. This is a fun, low-impact activity, and many ice rinks in the area are free.
Ice skating is one of the most popular winter activities in the world. In addition to being fun, it’s a great way to exercise and get your blood flowing.
The Dobson Ice Arena is located in the heart of Vail, Colorado. It’s the largest multi-purpose ice facility on the Western Slope, and it’s open for hockey, figure skating, broomball, and other fun public skate sessions throughout the year. During the winter, the Dobson hosts ice hockey and figure skating camps, and even hosts concerts.
Another option is the Vail Mountain Outdoor Ice Rink. You can rent skates and enjoy the scenic views of the Vail ski mountain. Depending on the weather, the rink is open from 2 – 9 pm daily.
Other outdoor ice skating options are available in Beaver Creek. The Black Family Ice Rink in Beaver Creek Village is open all year, and the Town of Eagle operates two outdoor rinks.
There are also outdoor rinks in Lionshead Village. Known for its shops and restaurants, this community offers an exciting ice skating experience.
Snowshoeing
If you love skiing, snowboarding, or simply like to get outside, Vail offers plenty of winter activities. Among them is snowshoeing. This is a great way to explore the Colorado Rocky Mountains and get some exercise at the same time.
Several places offer guided snowshoe tours, such as the Betty Ford Alpine Garden and Walking Mountains Science Center. These tours include everything from walking boots and snowshoes to poles and hot beverages.
The Betty Ford Alpine Garden is a year-round attraction, but the beauty of the garden is even more impressive when snow covers the ground. It features waterfalls and colorful flower beds.
The Walking Mountains Science Center, located in Avon, offers free, hour-long guided snowshoe hikes, as well as daily and nighttime activities. In addition, it offers a plethora of snowshoe tours that focus on specific topics, such as wildlife or snow science.
The Walking Mountains Science Center is also home to a full-service shop, which provides all of the tools you need to enjoy your snowshoe adventure. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, this is a great place to rent or buy your gear.
Another fun activity is dog sledding. Dogs are provided, and you can even have a snack along the way. However, availability is limited. You will need to make a reservation for a daytime or evening sled trip.
Skiing and snowboarding lessons
Vail Mountain Winter Activities offer a variety of ski and snowboard lessons. They’re designed to give beginner skiers and snowboarders a fun experience while advancing their skills.
Group lessons are available for adults, children, and teens. Children can be as young as three years old. The cost of a group lesson is $87 to $103 a day, depending on the package you choose.
Private lessons are also offered. During a private session, you will learn the basics of skiing or snowboarding in a private setting. It is a great investment to make in your future enjoyment of the sport.
In addition to the usual ski and snowboarding lessons, Vail offers a variety of speciality classes. Kids and teens can enroll in programs that include racecourses and backcountry skiing.
Ski school instructors are highly skilled and can teach beginner skiers and snowboarders on gentle groomed runs. For more advanced skiers and snowboarders, coaches will help them improve their technique.
A variety of terrain parks are also available. These include the Eagle’s Nest Tubing Hill, 900-foot long snow tubing hill. This is a great way to see the scenic scenery in Vail.
There are other winter activities such as horse-drawn sleigh rides. You can also take an aerial tour of the mountain or try snowshoeing.
Tubing at Eagle’s Nest
Vail Mountain’s Eagle’s Nest is a great spot for families. You’ll find a tubing hill, an ice skating rink and a variety of other fun winter activities. The gondola takes you from Lionshead Village to the mountain’s summit.
At the top of the gondola, you’ll reach the Adventure Ridge, where you can take part in a variety of winter activities. There’s a tubing hill, a bungee trampoline, a snowmobile track and ski biking. If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, you can take a ride on the new Little Eagle Zipline.
This 200-foot zip line is designed for little adventurers. Participants must be at least three years old and weigh between 30 and 100 pounds. They must also have fully enclosed footwear. To get on the zip line, you’ll need a harness that fits properly and doesn’t have any heel straps.
For more family-friendly winter activities, you can try the Pine Cone Adventure Course, which is a smaller version of Vail’s challenges courses. It has kid-friendly obstacles and logs, and is less difficult to navigate.
Another popular Vail attraction is the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster. It’s a scenic ride through the trees and mountains.
You can even go on a horse drawn sleigh ride, which is an elegant way to experience the mountains in the winter. This is a romantic and magical experience for a family.
Snowmobiling tours
Vail Mountain snowmobiling tours are an exciting way to explore backcountry trails while enjoying a heart-pumping adventure. Snowmobilers will get to experience some of Colorado’s most stunning scenery and breathtaking mountain views. With so many different options to choose from, you’re sure to find a tour that suits your style.
A two-hour tour is perfect for beginner riders. This guided excursion includes a short, scenic drive up to a mountaintop, where you can enjoy the majestic views of the surrounding mountains. It’s also an ideal option for families with children.
During the winter, snowmobiling excursions take place twice a day. You’ll need to arrive at least half an hour before the scheduled departure time. Before your trip, all guests will be required to sign a release waiver.
The most popular snowmobiling tour is the Top of the Rockies tour. This excursion reaches elevations of 12,500 feet, where you can view the beautiful mountain ranges of the Rocky Mountains. There are several different tour options to choose from, including the Performance and the High Adventure tours. Those who want to get off the beaten path can try the Backcountry Explorer tour.
Nova Guides is a well-known tour operator in the Vail area. They have been offering outdoor recreation experiences for over 30 years. Their staff is dedicated to safety and ensuring that everyone has a great time.