Activities in Vail
-
A
Vail Mountain
Vail Mountain is our favorite in the state, with 5289 skiable acres, 193 trails, three terrain parks and the highest lift-ticket prices in the country (OK, so they only out-price Aspen by $1, but still…). If you're a Colorado ski virgin, it's worth paying the extra buck to pop your cherry here. Especially on a sunny, blue, fresh-powder day.
If you're low on coin check the parking lots to see if anyone needs a buddy to split their 2-for-1 lift ticket coupon before paying top dollar at the ticket window. You can also try City Market grocery stores, which often sell reduced-price tickets. Experts will go gaga over Vail's shoots, tree glades and four wide-open, powdery…
reviewed
-
B
Fishing Gore Creek
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Fishing
It’s hard to believe that a stream so close to a freeway would be included among Colorado’s Gold Medal waters, yet four miles of Gore Creek from Red Sandstone Creek to its confluence with the Eagle River is prize trout fly-fishing water. Expect to find rainbow, brook and big brown trout, plus native cutthroat in its tributaries. Regulations permit anglers to take only two fish over 16 inches from the creek.
The Eagle River, once too polluted to sustain large mature fish, now also yields decent catches, due to EPA Superfund cleanup of the Gilman mill tailings above Minturn. If you’re willing to go for a hike, there are nearby mountain lakes and streams offering great…
reviewed
-
C
Gore Creek Trail
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Hiking
From the USFS Gore Creek campground, the popular Gore Creek Trail (USFS Trail 2015) leads to Gore Lake in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness Area. This strenuous six-mile trail, best attempted between June and October, climbs about 2700ft through spruce and fir forests into the alpine tundra.
Another trail option from near the campground is Two Elk Trail (USFS Trail 2005), an 11-mile hike that climbs to Two Elk Pass, passing prime elk habitat before leaving the forest and Vail’s back bowls at Cemetery Rd in Minturn. Elk bugling during rutting season is best observed in late summer. This hike can be done in a day or as an overnight trip – consider leaving a second vehicle at the…
reviewed
-
D
Bike Valet
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Cycling
Based in Lionshead. In winter it's run as Ski Valet and offers some of the best discount ski rentals on the mountain, and overnight repair service. But in the summer, it's known as Bike Valet, one of two independently owned bike shops in Lionshead. Rent path bikes, road bikes, electric bikes, as well as full-suspension mountain bikes for the hardcore.
Owner-operated, Bike Valet will gladly offer riding tips, repair your bike, and they do tours for all levels as well. The Shrine Pass tour includes a vicious two-mile ascent and a twelve-mile coast down the backside of Vail mountain into Red Cliff. The Vail Pass downhill tour on the bike path is also popular, especially with…
reviewed
-
E
Vail to Breckenridge Bike Path
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Cycling
From the West Vail Market you can ride along N Frontage Rd, crossing I-70 at the pedestrian overpass to Lionshead. On the south side of the freeway, a paved bike route extends from W Gore Creek Dr through Cascade Village, Lionshead and Vail Village and continues east on the 10-Mile Canyon Trail through auto-free road-bike heaven over Vail Pass to Frisco.
From the road closure at the east end of Bighorn Rd, 6 miles from Vail Village, it’s an 8-mile climb to Vail Pass; there you can turn back or continue 11 miles to Frisco, the hub of Summit County bike trails and the gateway to Breckenridge.
reviewed
-
F
Eagle's Nest
The central-point of all mountain adventure. Obviously, it's all about powder in the peak season. But that can mean snowshoeing, snow-biking, snowmobiling and tubing, as well as skiing and boarding. In summer there are dozens of hikes and mountain-bike trails (bikes ride on the gondola for a small fee), as well as a bungee trampoline, climbing wall and Frisbee golf.
It's the gateway to 5000 acres of winter terrain and 1000 acres of summer mountain-bike madness. But in every season it's a wonderful, family-friendly scene.
reviewed
-
G
Troy's Ski Shop
Troy's specializes in two things. It rents high-end, full-suspension mountain bikes in summer, and hires out the best skis on the mountain in winter, both of which can be used to explore the 5000 acres of frontside and back-bowl country that makes the Vail resort great. This shop is independently owned, has friendly staff, and it's been around awhile.
With tips from Troy's you can ski at Vail for a week and never hit the same trail twice. Note: Troy's doesn't rent snowboards.
reviewed
-
H
Dobson Ice Arena
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Skating
Located at the entrance to the Lionshead ski resort, this aging yet more than adequate rink is where local freestylers, aspiring competitive ice dancers, and bruising pick-up hockey jocks come for a good skate. The rink is available for time-block rental and hours are set aside for public skating, along with classes and organized activities and events for all ages.
Visit the website, grab a schedule at the door, or call for details.
reviewed
-
Vail VaIley Paragliding
Here's your chance to fly high above the Rocky Mountain. Join one of these tandem flights – launch in the morning and occasionally in the afternoon. You'll lift off at 8700ft and if the winds are cooperative, you might fly as high as 14,000ft. Duration varies, but an hour is common. Flights depart from diferent locations: check the website for details.
Dress warmly. It does get cold in heaven.
reviewed
-
I
Vail Golf Club
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Golf
Hemmed in by Gore Creek and tucked up against the White River National Forest, this 18-hole par 71 course nestled in at 8200ft elevation is a fine place to hit a small white ball, then go hunting for it. Reservations are vital in summer and can be made 60 days in advance. It's partly or fully closed for rehabilitation in the fall.
The pro shop can set you up with rentals, lessons and a cart.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Solaris Ice Rink
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Skating
Still under construction at research time, but scheduled to be open in time for ski season in 2010, this gorgeous outdoor oval is set in front of the new Solaris residential and commercial complex where you can also find Bōl and Cinebistro. The kids are going to love it.
reviewed
-
K
Booth Falls & Booth Lake Trail
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Hiking
A two-mile hike to the 60ft Booth Falls follows USFS Trail 1885 into the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. The trailhead is off N Frontage Rd west of I-70 exit 180. Continue beyond the falls to encounter meadows filled with wildflowers and views of the Gore Range. The trail continues to Booth Lake, 6 miles from the trailhead, and climbs about 3000ft. Best between June and October.
reviewed
-
L
Vail Ski & Snowboard School
Resort-owned and operated, this skiing and snowboarding school serves all ages and all levels. Along with this Vail Village location, it also operates in Golden Peak and Lionshead. Children's lessons are held out of the latter two locations only, where day-care programs are also offered. Lessons include equipment rental, and class size maxes out at four or five skiers.
reviewed
-
M
Christy Sports
Another Colorado ski-mountain staple. You'll see Christy at almost every resort in the state, and with good reason – it's been at the gear game since '58. Prices vary with quality (though they do offer demo packages for gear heads). The best deals are always found online and booked in advance, but they take their share of walk-ins too.
reviewed
-
N
Vail Nature Center
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Hiking
Register ahead for guided naturalist hikes that run on Tuesday and Thursday at the Vail Nature Center. The hikes are led at a moderate pace and open to all. For a short stroll, the four trails at the Nature Center offer excellent interpretive displays on the plants and wildlife along Gore Creek and can be done in under an hour.
reviewed
-
O
Zip Adventures
Here's your chance to fly over a rugged canyon at well over 30mph, 200ft above a gushing creek. With six ziplines set up over Alkali Canyon and distances ranging from 150ft to 1000ft long, you'll get plenty of time to work on your primal scream. Easy and exhilarating, the two-hour romp is worth the splurge.
reviewed
-
P
Lakota Guides
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Rafting
Lakota Guides is another river outfitter with a good reputation serving Vail and Beaver Creek. Lakota can get you on all the nearby rivers – the Eagle, Arkansas and Colorado, and it offers off-road trips in high-alpine country too. It's based just outside of Vail proper in Avon.
reviewed
-
Q
Hiking Vail Mountain
From Eagle's Nest, accessible only from the Eagle Bahn gondola in Lionshead, you can access six well-marked, and well-groomed trails ranging in difficulty and distance (one to 4.6 miles). It's not exactly wilderness but the views are sublime. Our favorite is the Ptarmigan Loop.
reviewed
-
R
Vail Sports
Resort-owned and operated, and one of the closest rental shops to the lifts, you can usually get good deals and solid gear here. It rents bikes in the summer too. Affiliated with discount rental service Rentskis.com (you have to book online to get the 20% discount).
reviewed
-
S
Cordillera Club
This club and Nordic Center, attached to the lodge of the same name, is set at the western mouth of the Vail Valley near Edwards. It offers 11 miles of terrific cross-country skiing terrain in the winter, and mountain biking, hiking and fly-fishing in the summer.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
T
Vail Nordic Center
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Skiing
Vail's top cross-country skiing resource offers lessons and gear rental for aspiring nordic skiiers. You can also rent snow shoes. Lessons and ski packages do not include the $8 day-use fee compulsory for cross-country trails. Ask about backcountry trails too.
reviewed
-
U
Eagle Bahn Gondola
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Gondola
A stunning gondola ride from Lionshead Plaza to Eagle's Nest (aka Adventure Ridge) on the rim of Vail Mountain is an attraction in itself. From here you can access Vail's famed back bowls and enjoy massive mountain and valley views in all directions.
reviewed
-
V
Vail Stables
A family-run stable highly recommended by Vail locals. It offers horse-riding classes and camps for kids, and one- to three-hour rides in the Gore Range. Kids as young as six can ride their own horse.
reviewed
-
Half Moon Pass Trail
See Minturn for this activity, easily accessible from Vail.
reviewed
-
Adventure Ridge
- Vail, USA
- Activities › Other
Mountaintop Adventure Ridge has child-friendly winter and summer sports including laser tag.
reviewed