Vail Attractions
The ingredients of an unforgettable Vail Valley Vacation are many: the freedom to enjoy the slopes, snowshoe through the backcountry, unwind at one of the many spas or stay overnight in a secluded Yurt. Even if you don't ski, there are many reasons to head to the Rocky Mountains for a memorable Vail Valley experience.
Sleigh Ride Dinners
4 Eagle Ranch (970) 926-3372 Winter horseback rides, sleigh rides and sleigh ride dinners.
Seasons at the Green/Steve Jones Sleigh rides. (970) 476-8057 Sleigh rides and sleigh ride dinners just 1.5 miles from Vail Village.
Snowmobile Tours
Timberline Tours (970) 476-1414 half day and full day snowmobiling tours
Nova Guides (970) 949-4232 snowmobile rentals, 1 hour, 2 hour, half day and full day snowmobiling tours, and dinner rides
Backcountry / Sno-cat Skiing
Hidden Treasure Yurt Backcountry yurt for nightly rental
Paragon Guides Guided Backcountry Skiing Trips (970) 926-5299
Nova Guides non-skiing backcountry snow-cat tours in White River National Forest.
Trail Wise Guides - Offers day skiing trips in the Colorado Backcountry.
Vail Snow Cat Tours - A full day backcountry powder skiing experience
Snowshoeing
Colorado Bike Service Snowshoe Rentals & Sales
Base Mountain Sports Snowshoe Rentals & Sales
Lazy J Ranch Daily guided snowshoeing adventures.
Paragon Guides Offers multi-day trips in the Colorado Backcountry.
Trail Wise Guides Offers day snowshoeing trips in the Colorado Backcountry.
Ice Skating
Dobson Ice Arena 970/479-2270
Beaver Creek Ice Rink 970/845-5248
Warm Weather Activities
Fishing and Paddleboats
Nottingham Lake (970) 949-4280
Piney River Ranch (970) 476-3941, rents canoes, small boats for fishing, and also supplies fly rods and waders.
Ballooning
Camelot Balloons (970) 926-2435
Mountain Balloon Adventures (970) 476-2553
Cattle Drives
For those who have always dreamed of joining a cattle drive: 4 Eagle Ranch (Exit 157 off I70) ; then 4 miles north on Colorado 131. (970) 926-3372. Also chuck wagon dinners and hayrides.
Golf
Usually mid-May to mid-October: Beaver Creek Resort Golf Course (970) 949-7123, designed by Robert Trent Jones
The Vail Golf Course (970) 479-2260
Eagle-Vail Golf Course (970) 949-5267 is a challenging course of 18 holes.
Hiking and Backpacking
Contact Holy Cross Ranger District Office: (970) 827-5715
Supplies and information: Vail Mountaineering (970) 476-4223
Horseback Riding
Spraddle Creek Ranch (970) 476-6941 specializes in family outings.
Beaver Creek Stables (970) 845-7770
Piney River Ranch (970) 476-3941
Jeep Tours
Nova Tours (970)949-4232 offers guided tours in 4 wheel drive vehicles.
Llama Treking
Paragon Guides (970) 926-5299 offers llama treks to groups and families. June-Sept. Trek lasts 3-6 days.
Mountain Biking
Visitors can take the Lionshead Gondola to Eagle’s Nest on Vail Mountain and rent mountain bikes and all accessories and ride the summer slopes, returning the bikes at the base of the gondola.
Check at the gondola for rates and names of rental shops.
River Rafting
The Eagle River is a favorite of white water rafters, especially during the Spring thaw. Gentle-rough rides are available.
Colorado River Runs (970) 653-4292, specializes in family rafting trips.
Nova Guides (970) 949-4232
Lakota River Guides (970) 476-RAFT
Betty Ford Alpine Garden
970 476-0103
In Ford Park, 1/4 mile east of main village, next to Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Open before and after snow season: dawn to dusk
Admission free. Donation accepted
One of the highest alpine gardens in the world. Actually, it is three small gardens each with a different theme. The gardens are filled with over 2,000 vividly blooming plants.
All are in walking distance from the Vail Nature Center.
Colorado Ski Museum/ Ski Hall of Fame
231 South Frontage Road East in the Vail Village Transportation Center
970 476-1876
Tues-Sun 10-5 by appointment only in May and October.
Admission Free.
The museum gives the history of transportation across areas of snow and ice. Snow sports began in Colorado in the 1800’s and this museum makes the journey forward both entertaining and enlightening.
The Vail Wildlife Center
Guided tours daily 11-noon and 1-2
Recommended for ages 6 with good attention span or 7 and up
Located in a small hut directly in front of the gondola exit. Features interactive displays of wildlife and local flowering plants. Guided tours are offered twice a day.
For the whole family: there are two self-guided tours at which children can go at their own pace. They are indicated by signs: Eagle’s View and Lower Fireweed.
Tubing is also offered at this location from noon-10pm. Fee is per hour, including tube. Reduced fee for ages 12 and under.
Ice skating: Noon - 10pm same rates as tubing; includes skates.
Sledding: Noon to 10pm
Snowboard park and half pipes: 8:30am-10pm equipment rental and lessons available.
Vista Bahn and Wildwood Express Chairlifts
Vista Bahn chairlift begins at the base of the mountain in Vail Village and the Wildwood begins mid-mountain near the top of the Vista Bahn lift.
970 476-9090
Fee per person
Bike transport extra.
Ages 4 and up
Vista Bahn offers a high speed ride up Vail Mountain. From there you can catch the Wildwood Express lift to the top. Hiking and biking in season. Wildwood Restaurant and Smokehouse are at the top.
Facilities
Beaver Creek: 4,040-ft vertical drop; 1,625 skiable acres; 27% beginner, 39% intermediate, 34% advanced; 6 high-speed quad chairs, 3 triple chairs, 4 double chairs, 1 surface lift.
Vail: 3,335-ft vertical drop; 4,644 skiable acres; 21% beginner, 31% intermediate, 48% advanced on the front side; 13% intermediate, 87% advanced in the back bowls; 1 gondola, 10 high-speed quad chairs, 1 regular quad, 3 triple chairs, 5 double chairs, 11 surface lifts.
Arrowhead: The mountain has a 1,700 foot vertical drop, from the 9,100 summit. Snowboarding is permitted. Open mid-December - April 9-3:30. (970) 926-3029 Fax: (970) 926-2321. Located 2 miles west of Beaver Creek on US 6, this is a small family oriented area. It has one high speed chairlift and a beginners surface lift, serving 15 runs for novices and intermediates. Another lift connects it with Beaver Creek Resort.
From the editors of WCT, a division of Travelocity.comLP
