A skier’s paradise, Vail Mountian Colorado is a big ski area that offers something for everyone. There’s enough gentle terrain for beginners, and epic back bowls that are a thrill for experienced skiers.
The history of Vail is a story of overcoming obstacles to make it a success. Founded in 1957 by Pete Siebert and Earl Eaton, it was the brainchild of two veterans of World War II who wanted to build a mountain resort.
What to Expect
Vail Mountian Colorado is one of the largest and most popular ski resorts in the United States. It offers 5,317 skiable acres and a great variety of slopes to suit all levels of skiers.
The front side of the mountain is ideal for beginners and intermediates, with well-groomed green and blue trails on most runs. If you’re looking for more challenging terrain, check out the Back Bowls, which span several miles and offer endless tracks of ungroomed skiing.
In summer, the resort is a great spot for hiking and mountain biking. You can also check out the Epic Discovery adventure park, which features ziplines, a mountain coaster, and tubing hills.
Aside from the vast mountain terrain, Vail is also home to a number of unique alpine villages. These quaint, European-style neighborhoods are filled with cafes, restaurants, shops, and other activities to keep you busy during your trip.
Those staying in Vail will find plenty of accommodation options to choose from, including condos, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and even private chalets. Many of the accommodations have their own ski shuttles so you can get to the slopes easily.
If you’re a true powder lover, don’t miss the resort’s Blue Sky Basin. Its proximity to the ski area means that it sucks up snow and holds it longer than the rest of the mountain.
There are many ways to explore the Vail area, but you should always be prepared for avalanche dangers in the backcountry. You can check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center for current snowpack and avalanche forecasts before you leave the ski area boundaries.
Accommodations
Vail Mountian Colorado is a year-round sports destination that attracts visitors from around the world. The town is modeled after an Austrian ski village and has many lodging options to suit every taste.
If you’re visiting for skiing, your best bet is to stay in Vail Village which is a pedestrian village full of shops, restaurants and amazing views. It’s also walking distance to the mountain and most of the ski lifts and bars.
A short walk away is Lionshead which is also close to everything you need in Vail, but a bit smaller and has fewer shops. This area is great for families and couples who want to stay near the ski lifts but don’t mind a short hike.
Another option is West Vail which is farther from the main villages, but it’s cheaper and feels more like a community. Here you’ll find grocery stores, inexpensive food including fast food, playgrounds and an off-leash dog park.
If you’re staying in Vail for business purposes, there are a few hotels that offer workstations and free internet. These include Sitzmark Lodge Places, Hotel Gasthof Gramshammer and Evergreen Lodge at Vail.
Tivoli Lodge is one of the most luxurious hotels in Vail with 4-star amenities and a convenient location to the Eagle Bahn gondola. Its rooms and suites are incredibly comfortable, with wood accents and alpine decor.
Guests can enjoy a rotating hot buffet breakfast, and the Brown Hound Lounge serves cocktails and microbrews in the evening. It’s a perfect spot to relax after a long day on the slopes!
There are a number of hotels to choose from in Vail, but some of the best are The Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons Resort and Ritz Carlton Residences. These all have excellent views of the mountain and come with fully equipped kitchens, living areas and large bathrooms.
Dining
Vail is a world-famous ski resort, and it attracts a dedicated crowd of winter sports enthusiasts to the slopes. As a result, it’s home to a great number of restaurants and cafes that are sure to satisfy any palate.
The Little Diner in Lionshead Village is a family-owned breakfast and lunch spot where you’ll find everything from pancakes to eggs Benedict. The menu also includes a few more American favorites like burritos and sandwiches.
You might find that the line at this place gets a little long, but it’s well worth it if you get your fix of doughnuts and espresso drinks (made with Rococo Coffee Roasting’s beans), breakfast burritos, stacked sammies, smoothies, and acai bowls. They also have a kid’s menu, so it’s easy to find something for the whole family.
Almresi, a delightful chalet-style restaurant located upstairs, offers Bavarian cuisine. The cozy space is decked out with wood beams and rustic furniture, and you’ll find waiters in lederhosen. The fondue, bratwurst, and Austrian-inspired fare is perfect for a romantic Vail village lunch or a night out.
If you’re looking for a more casual meal on the mountain, try Wildwood Smokehouse at Chair #4 & 7; you’ll enjoy BBQ eats and a killer view of the back bowls. The bar offers a wide variety of cocktails, and you can use your Epic Mix app to book a table for any time between 7 and 3 p.m.
Another mountain restaurant is The 10th, a newly opened lodge-style eatery at Mid-Vail. Its floor-to-ceiling windows offer incredible views of the Gore Range. This is a great place to make a reservation for lunch or an early dinner if you want to take in the scenery before heading to the slopes.
Shopping
Vail Mountian Colorado has a lot to offer when it comes to shopping. Whether you’re looking for brand names or one-of-a-kind items, there’s something here for everyone.
If you’re looking for a great place to shop in Vail, check out the Vail Village area, which is full of high-end boutiques, sports stores, art galleries and upscale clothiers. This quaint cobblestone street offers a unique setting to shop and browse late into the evening.
You can also explore Lionshead, another mountain village that’s close to Vail Village and offers its own set of shops, restaurants and luxury hotels. Using the free bus system, you can easily get around to see everything this part of the valley has to offer.
The town is known for its luxurious and upscale ski culture, which can be reflected in the shopping options available. Several stores focus on ski and snowboard gear, such as American Ski Exchange, which rents equipment for skiing and snowboarding.
In addition to ski rentals, you can find a wide variety of clothing at this store, including brand-name ski apparel and accessories. The store also sells boots and other outdoor equipment.
There’s nothing like the thrill of winter sports to make you forget your daily grind, which is why skiing and snowboarding are some of the top activities in Vail. The area’s pristine slopes are perfect for anyone, regardless of skill level or experience.
You can also pick up some souvenirs to take home from your visit to Vail, such as postcards or local craft beer. There are even gift baskets for sale at some of the local stores, if you’re looking for a special present for a loved one.
Activities
One of the best things about Vail Mountian Colorado is that it offers plenty of activities for visitors to do besides ski. You can enjoy a day of ice skating, take a walk through the botanical garden, attend an outdoor concert or explore the neighboring towns.
Winter is a popular time to visit the area, but summer is also a great choice. In the summer, the mountain mellows out and the forests and hillsides spring to life. There’s plenty to do at Epic Discovery, which features adventure courses, zip lines, a roller coaster, and tubing hills.
Hiking is another popular summer activity in Vail. There are dozens of trails to choose from, including the popular Booth Falls trail that takes hikers past a nearly 18-meter plunging waterfall and Booth Lake surrounded by scenic pine forests.
The 10-mile out-and-back trail is challenging, but if you’re up for it, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. If you’re looking for a more leisurely option, try the Deluge Lake or Upper Piney Lake Trails.
Snowshoeing is a great way to get some exercise and see the mountains in the winter. There are several companies that offer guided tours and daily trips to top-of-the-mountain forests with scenic views of the valley and mountains.
You can also rent a snowmobile and ride through the winter wonderland, cruising through 360-degree views with miles of open fields. Nova Guides and Sage Outfitters offer this experience.
You can even take a scenic drive to Dillon and check out the Ice Castles, a spectacular, Frozen-like attraction constructed from thousands of icicles. Or go dog sledding in Silverthorne. If you’re looking for a more adventurous day trip, you can also try whitewater rafting, which is a fun way to take in the beauty of the Colorado mountains.