10 Things to do in Vail

Vail has an excellent reputation as a winter sports venue but there are events and attractions open all year round. Visitors enjoy snowmobile tours, hiking, playing golf and being pampered at one of the spas. Here are a few highlights.

Have Fun at Vail Ski Resort

The resort is equally good for snowboarding, downhill skiing and cross-country skiing. The Ski & Snowboard School offers lessons for adults and children. Other activities include snowshoeing, tubing, and mountain biking. This area averages 300 days of sunshine a year and it’s a terrific spot for nightlife. The resort is very family friendly and there are childcare facilities.

Visit Colorado Ski Museum

130 years of skiing history in the state is told through more than 1,500 items of memorabilia, articles of clothing, and pieces of equipment. The introduction of snowboarding is also explored. Visitors learn about the impact of skiing on mining, delivering the mail, and training the military. A Hall of Fame features those who have made a major contribution to the sport, including athletes and coaches.

Get Close to Nature at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Conservation and education are two important components at this botanical garden for alpine plants, located at the foot of Vail Mountain. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with rock gardens and waterfalls. Staff organize classes and tours.

Shop at Vail Farmers Market

This is the largest farmers market in the Rocky Mountain area. Vendors sell fruit, vegetables, cheese, pickles, honey, wine, coffee beans etc. and local arts and crafts are also on display. Live jazz performers entertain the crowds.

Visit Adventure Ridge

This is a mountain top adventure park for all the family with ski bikes, tubing lanes, and a bungee harnessed trampoline. Children can race on their own track in mini snowmobiles. Meals are served at the Bistro.

Visit Vail Nordic Center

The center offers ski equipment for purchase and rental, and lessons and clinics for adults and children. Staff maintain groomed classic and skate tracks, and snowshoe trails. The center also facilitates gear swaps.

Hike and Fish at Booth Falls and Booth Lake

The Booth Falls and Booth Lake Trail is popular with hikers and backpackers. It’s quite a strenuous route and an 8-mile round trip but the reward is the beautiful 60-foot waterfall. The lake is a good fishing spot.

Try Mountain Biking

Novice and experienced riders will find suitable trails. Take a bike on a gondola or ride through the forest. Several outlets sell and hire equipment and there are training camps for instruction. Vail has hosted the Mountain Bike World Championships.

Visit Gore Range Nature Discovery Center

A yurt on top of Vail Mountain houses the exhibits for the center, teaching visitors about the local eco-system. Staff run classes and organize summer hiking programs and snowshoe hikes in the winter.

Fun on the Ice at Dobson Ice Arena

This is a multi-purpose venue used by figure skaters, broomball players and hockey players. There are public skate times and adults and children can book lessons and enter competitions. The arena also presents pop music concerts and events.