If you aren’t into skiing or snowboarding in the winter, don’t worry – Vail has plenty of awesome mountain activities that you can enjoy!
The Colorado Snowsports Museum & Hall of Fame is a great place to learn more about the history of ski sports. The museum also features an exhibit on the 10th Mountain Division, a group of World War II mountain troopers who brought their alpine training to Vail.
1. Ice Skating
Ice skating is a great way to get out and enjoy the winter wonderland in Vail Mountian. There are many rinks around town that offer a fun time for all ages. The outdoor rink in Vail Village is one of our favorites to skate at and is perfect to twirl around under the stars.
There are also several indoor ice rinks in Vail. If you’re looking for something a little bigger, then check out the Dobson Ice Arena. This 35,000-square-feet ice arena is open year-round for hockey, figure skating and broomball. It offers a variety of public skate times, classes, leagues and competitions.
Another place to ice skate in Vail is the Alderhof Ice Rink at the Arrabelle hotel at the Vail Square. This rink is surrounded by galleries, shops and cafes and is the ideal place to enjoy a nice ice skate while looking out over the ski slopes.
The Solaris Ice Rink in Vail Village is another good choice for a beautiful ice skating experience. It is located in the center of Vail Village and is surrounded by restaurants, fire pits and galleries. Skate rentals are available next to the bol restaurant.
A beautiful and unique thing to do in winter is to try a snowmobiling tour. This activity is great for families and adventurers alike, and will give you a bird’s eye view of the mountainous landscape.
For an even more fun and exhilarating winter activity, consider skiing bike riding. This is an activity that takes place at night and is for the more advanced/intermediate skier or snowboarder who is comfortable with blues and blacks.
This is a very unique and interesting activity that will give you a bird’s eye views of the mountainous terrain in Vail. This activity is very popular with the locals and will give you an experience that you won’t soon forget.
2. Sledding
Often overlooked as one of the more fun and accessible winter activities, sledding is actually a sport that can be enjoyed by all ages. And, as you might expect, there are many places around the Vail Valley where sledding is a popular winter activity.
A regulated sledding hill on top of Vail Mountain called Adventure Ridge is a great place to take the kids. It also offers many other winter activities and is a great way to get the whole family active on a cold, snowy day!
For those who are looking to enjoy sledding without the hassle of a regulated hill, there are a few free sledding hills in the area. You can find good sledding at Nottingham Park in Avon and in Edwards at the Sonnenalp Golf Course.
Another popular sledding destination is Meadow Mountain, which used to be a regulated sledding hill with a lift in the past but it is now a free sledding hill. It is easy to find and there are plenty of parking lots to get you started.
You can also go horseback riding and enjoy the winter scenery with a sleigh ride and hot chocolate at Bearcat Stables in Edwards or 4 Eagle Ranch in Wolcott. Both of these places are a short drive outside of Vail and are great for families wanting to have a unique winter experience!
If you are looking for a more extreme experience, there is also backcountry sledding. This is a great activity for thrill seekers who can experience untouched slopes and mountain bowls with custom-designed sleds that feature bindings and pads. The sport is also a great alternative for those who aren’t comfortable skiing or snowboarding but want to get out and experience the snowy mountains of Colorado.
3. Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster
The Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster is an adrenaline-packed ride that will get your blood pumping. It is the main attraction at Vail Resort’s Epic Discovery adventure center and sweeps you up and down the mountain 3,400 feet.
It’s a great way to experience the mountain side of Vail with family and friends. There are plenty of other thrilling activities at Epic Discovery, like ziplines, adventure courses, a climbing wall and more.
This mountain coaster is a fun, safe ride for kids of all ages and even adults can enjoy it as well. The Coaster is fitted with a hand brake that allows you to control the speed of your descent, so you can choose whether to go fast or slow down to a more comfortable speed.
You will need to be at least three years old and a minimum height of 38 inches tall to ride alone, while you must be 16 years or older to drive the Coaster with a child. You will also need a valid Epic Pass or other admission ticket to ride the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster.
There is no time limit to your ride and you can take as long as you want on the ride. The track winds through the trees, and you can see spectacular views of the forest as you travel.
The Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster at Vail Resort is a popular attraction and is sure to be a hit with families. There are plenty of other fun winter activities in Vail, including ice skating, sledding and more.
The Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster is a fun ride for everyone and will definitely make a memorable day out for the whole family. You can find out more about it below, along with other exciting winter activities in Vail.
4. Ice Skating Rinks
Ice skating is one of the best things to do in Vail, CO during the winter and it is a fun way for the whole family to spend time together. There are several ice skating rinks in the area, ranging from smaller outdoor rinks in Lionshead Village and Vail Village to large indoor ice skating rinks like the Dobson Ice Arena.
Another place to skate in the Vail Valley is in Beaver Creek, where there is a large outdoor ice rink that is surrounded by heater cobblestone sidewalks, restaurants and shops. The rink is open both during the summer and the winter, and there are also ice bikes to rent here.
If you want to try ice skating at a larger scale, then head to the Dobson Ice Arena, which is an indoor ice arena that is open year round. This rink is perfect for adults and children and offers a variety of public skating times, classes and hockey leagues.
For something a little more active and adventuresome, you can head to the top of Vail Mountain for a ride on the forest flyer mountain coaster. This fun activity is great for the whole family and gives you a bird’s eye view of the entire Vail Valley.
There are a few options for sledding in the Vail area, including a sledding hill in Vail Village and a sledding hill in Lionshead. You can also rent a sled for an afternoon of fun in the snow.
There is also a large outdoor ice skating rink in the center of Vail Village, which has a spectacular panoramic view of Vail Ski Mountain. This rink is open both during the summer and in the winter and has a quaint alpine village feel. This rink is open 1 pm – 8 pm daily.
5. Ski Biking
The Vail Mountain resort is a winter wonderland, receiving more average snowfall than most North American ski destinations and enjoying 300 days of warm sunshine each year. That means locals and visitors can get out there and enjoy endless recreation from alpine skiing and snowboarding to snowmobiling, ice skating and sleigh rides!
One of the best things about skiing in the winter is that it gives you a chance to escape from the city and enjoy some peace and quiet. If you’re looking for a more active experience, try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing along a backcountry trail in the mountains.
There are many trails throughout the Vail Valley, and some even go beyond town to backcountry peaks. These trails are great for those looking to get out and explore the mountains while taking in some of the most breathtaking winter views in Colorado.
Another great way to get out and explore the Vail Valley is by biking. You can rent a cruiser, e-bike or mountain bike from our Concierge to explore the 58 miles of paved recreational paths in the area.
You can also ride a fat bike, which is an off-road bicycle with extra large wheels designed for snowy conditions. The Vail Nordic Center offers 13k of fat bike trails, as well as daily groomed trails for snowshoeing.
Aside from snowshoeing and cycling, ice climbing is another fun outdoor activity to consider if you’re looking to get outside in the winter. Cascading waterfalls and trickling flow from snow melt create some pretty cool ice climbing opportunities around town.
If you’re looking to take your adventure a step further, there are plenty of guide companies in town that offer guided snowmobiling excursions through the White River National Forest. These tours are an exciting way to get out and explore the snowy landscape, whether you’re a beginner or a pro.