An All-Seasons Guide to Vail, Colorado
Vail is a beautiful place to see the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, whether you go in the summer when wildflowers are blooming or the winter when there is a lot of snow.
The town is 156 kilometers west of Denver, which is the state’s busy main city. It’s almost worth the trip just to drive between the two towns; it’s so pretty.
Get going in Denver
This city is exactly one mile, or 1,609 meters, above sea level, which is why it is called the “Mile-High City.” LoDo, which stands for “lower downtown,” is a cool place to spend some time. LoDo is Denver’s oldest area. Union Station, a train station that was built in 1881 and is now home to shops, restaurants, and bars, has been restored.
The Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team plays there. For a rich meal like Sticky Toffee Pudding French Toast before going to Coors Field for a game, stop at Snooze. For a boozy shake after the game, go to Milk Box Ice Creamery.
Travel tip: At those heights, it’s easy to get dehydrated, so drink a lot of water.
City lights illuminating Union Station in Denver
How to Get to Vail
Take Interstate 70 West to Exit 176 to get to Vail, which has a base elevation of 2,475 meters. It’s about 200 kilometers west of Denver International Airport. Mountain ranges covered in snow can be seen around almost every corner of the road.
Stop in Georgetown on your way to Vail to get a feel for the Wild West. The Wild West was the time in the 19th century when people discovered and settled the land west of the Mississippi River. From I-70, take exit 228 and walk around the small town that was created in 1859 during the Pikes Peak gold rush. A lot of the houses from the 1800s are still there. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is the highest public road in North America.
If you go there in the summer, you should drive it. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep may be around. Park at the top and walk up about 402 meters to reach the top, which is 4,307 meters high. When you reach the top of a rock that is over 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) high, you have reached a “fourteener.” This state has 53 fourteeners, more than any other in the US.
Ski slopes along the snow-covered mountains at Vail Resorts
Things to Do in the Winter
It makes sense that most people think of Vail when they think of downhill snowboarding. Vail Resorts has trails for skiers of all skill levels on its 2,140 hectares of skiable land.
Vail also has ice skating, Nordic skiing, and a lot of other winter sports that you can do. At the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, there is a snow park called Adventure Ridge. Here you can go snow tubing, ride ski bikes, or walk in peace and quiet.
The Front Side of Vail, some of the most groomed terrain in the world
Summertime Activities
Hiking is a popular summertime activity, with hundreds of kilometers of pathways lined with blue, white, and yellow wildflowers. Take the Eagle Bahn Gondola for a 1.6-kilometer stroll around Eagle’s Loop, or go to the 12.2-kilometer Deluge Lake Trail, which climbs 925 meters and offers breathtaking views of Mount of the Holy Cross, another fourteener.
You should rent a mountain bike to pick up the pace. There is, once more, a trail for each level. Alternatively, take a refreshing rafting excursion on the Eagle or Colorado rivers; several outfitters are located nearby. Desire a more tranquil swimming experience? Try fly-fishing; there are plenty of trout and guides in the rivers surrounding Vail.
The tallest botanical garden in North America, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, is worth visiting. Make time for it. There are rock gardens, columbines, bluebells, and waterfalls. Plan your garden visit around a show at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, an outdoor venue that hosts everything from local bluegrass musicians to world-class symphonies. Take in the sights of the Rocky Mountains while enjoying a picnic.
Blooming wildflowers accent a hike in Vail during summer
Where to Stay, Shop and Eat
Vail has a large selection of lodging options. In addition to luxurious lodgings like the Arrabelle at Vail Square, which provides free use of GoPro cameras to record your adventures, and the Four Seasons, where you can have artisanal salami and Colorado cheeses delivered to your room as an appetizer, there are lodges and townhouses where you can cook for yourself.
There are numerous shopping possibilities as well. You can find anything you’re looking for in Vail Village, which is a mix of sport boutiques, art galleries, jewelry stores, and premium clothing stores, whether you’re shopping for a fur coat or a raincoat, cowboy boots or ski boots.
Vail dining is frequently an international affair. Everything from elegant French food to rustic Colorado cuisine is available. Go to Garfinkel’s or the Red Lion for a laid-back post-ski vibe, and enjoy a craft beer and burger.
Having a pint at the Denver Beer Company Brewery with friends
