What You Need to Know About Vail
Population: Vail: 3,700
Elevation: 8,150 ft.
Time Zone: Mountain Time zone: (When it is 11:00am in New York City; it is 9:00am in Vail) Daylight saving time is observed from April-October)
Weather: 303-398-3964 for hourly updates
Average Temperatures:
| Month | High | Low |
| January | 35F | 17F |
| February | 42F | 23F |
| March | 53F | 30F |
| April | 65F | 40F |
| May | 75F | 49F |
| June | 86F | 57F |
| July | 93F | 64F |
| August | 89F | 62F |
| September | 81F | 54F |
| October | 67F | 43F |
| November | 50F | 28F |
| December | 38F | 20F |
When to Go
If you’re a skier, you will want to spend as much time as possible on the slopes in Vail. Vail’s snow has a reputation for being some of the lightest and fluffiest anywhere. Whether or not you are a skier, you may also wish to visit this breathtakingly beautiful country when temperatures are warmest and wildflowers are at their peak in July and August. In summer, more and more ski areas are opening their chairlifts to mountain bikers. There are numerous trails winding through the mountain passes. Bargain rates are often available in spring and fall, but the weather is especially uncertain at that time, and there may be unexpected snow. snow. September is a favorite time to visit when the changing aspen leaves turn the hillsides to gold.
Weather: Northwest Colorado is a place of sudden weather changes. One minute it may be sunny and the next, snowing, and later raining. Summer attractions may even be closed due to snow. Most mountain towns shut down after the ski season until mid-June and again from Labor Day until the new ski season starts. Always call ahead to avoid disappointment.
Sunscreen is essential at high altitudes.
Business Hours
Most banks are open from 10 to 4 Monday through Friday. Many are open for several hours on Saturday. Most businesses in Vail are open Monday through Saturday, from 9 or 10 AM to 6 or 9 PM. Many others, including shopping centers, are also open Sunday from noon to 5 or later.
Arriving in the United States
contact the U.S. Customs Service inquiries, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229, 202/927-6724
Electricity
The U.S. electrical standard is 110 volts/60 cycles AC. Foreign visitors traveling with dual-voltage appliances will not need a converter, but they will need a plug adapter. The standard U.S. electrical outlet takes a plug of two flat pins set parallel to one another.
Emergencies
Ambulance 911. Fire 911. Police 911.
Hospital Emergency Rooms
Vail Valley Medical Center 181 W. Meadow Dr., Vail, 970/476-2452.
Telephones The country code for the United States is 1. The area code for Vail is 970.
Tipping
At restaurants, a 15% tip is standard for waiters; up to 20% may be expected at more expensive establishments. The same is true for taxi drivers, bartenders, and hairdressers.
Church Services:
The Chapel at Beaver Creek
33 Elk Track Road, Beaver Creek
845-9449
Mount of The Holy Cross Lutheran Church
19 Vail Road, Vail
476-6610
Trinity Baptist Church
The Chapel at Beaver Creek
33 Elk Track Road, Beaver Creek
Vail Interfaith Chapel
19 Vail Road, Vail
Edwards Chapel
90 Lariat Loop, Edwards
476-1759
St. Clare of Assisi Parish
0053 Old County Ln., Edwards
926-2821
New Life Assembly of God
461 Main St., Minturn
827-4102
Edwards Chapel
90 Lariat Loop, Edwards
926-5707
Calvary Chapel
Berry Creek Middle School, Edwards
926-5860
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
Vail Inter-Faith Chapel
476-0618
Vail Interfaith Chapel
19 Vail Road, Vail
476-3347
Sanctuary International
4327 Streamside, East Vail
827-9770
Gracious Savior Lutheran Church
33520 Hwy. 6, Edwards
926-3550
Vail Bible Church
39209 Hwy. 6, Eagle-Vail
949-6585
St. Patrick’s Parish
476 Pine, Minturn
827-5784
Annointed Christian Fellowship
480 Nottingham Road, Avon
949-6188
Presbyterian Parish
191 Main St., Minturn
827-5547
National Holidays:
New Year’s Day Jan. 1
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.
President’s Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.
Memorial Day last Mon. in May
Independence Day July 4
Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.
Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25
New Year’s Eve Dec. 31.
Arriving By Air
The Vail Valley is served by Eagle County Regional Airport EGE Gypsum, 970/524-9490, 35 miles west of Vail. American, Continental, and America West fly here year-round, and during ski season, Delta, United, and Northwest offer nonstop flights from several gateway cities.
Flying times to Vail: 40 minutes from Denver, 2 1⁄2 hours from Dallas, 3 hours from Chicago, and 4 1⁄2 hours from Newark.
Transfers Between the Airport and Town
By Bus
Airport Transportation Service 970/476-7576, Colorado Mountain Express 970/949-4227 or 800/525-6353, and Vans to Vail 970/476-4467 or 800/222-2212 offer service from the airport into town.
By Car
From the airport, take Interstate 70 east 35 miles to Vail.
By Bus
Greyhound 800/231-2222 provides service from Denver to Vail.
By Car
The Vail Valley is 120 miles west of Denver on I-70, which bisects the state east to west take exits 173, 176, or 180. If you’re entering Colorado from the north or south, take I-25, which intersects with I-70 in Denver.
Getting Around
By Bus
Vail Transit 970/328-8143 has free buses throughout the Vail resort area. Avon Beaver
Creek Transit 970/949-6121 runs shuttles the length of the valley, daily, between 7 AM and 2:30 AM, every 20-30 minutes,
Road Conditions
For information on road conditions throughout the state of Colorado call 303/639-1111.
By Taxi
Vail Valley Taxi 970/476-8294.
From the editors of WCT, a division of Travelocity.comLP
