Welcome to Vail, CO!
Welcome to Vail, CO! This mountain town is an outdoor-lover’s paradise. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains about an hour and forty minutes west of Denver, Vail is a mountain and resort town that draws locals and tourists alike! Unlike many resort towns, Vail Mountain and the surrounding town are open year round. In the summer and fall, take a ride up a chairlift for a stunning view or hike the 17 miles of recreational paths that wind around the mountain before heading out for some epic fly fishing! With that in mind … Vail is really great for skiing. With a renowned skiing and snowboarding school and eight different areas for riding (totaling over 5,000 miles) Vail is a world-renowned location for both beginners and experienced visitors! Vail is a cultural hub as well. There are exhibitions and galleries open year round and the culinary scene boasts awards and accolades! You’re going to love it here!
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Here's Whym's top ten things to know about Vail, CO
Welcome!
Who needs the Swiss Alps when you have the Colorado Rockies? Boasting over 5,500 acres of terrain, Vail is one of the largest ski areas in the United States and arguably one of the best mountain destinations in the world! Vail lives up to it’s fancy reputation, with its European style villages, chic global travelers, and slopeside restaurants that present you with fleece-lined slippers to replace your ski-boots on your way in!
Finding Your Way
At the Vail Ski Resort, gondolas and chairlifts come right into town, and you can easily walk, bike, or take a free bus (the RideVail Transit system) to reach pretty much everywhere in the Vail Valley. Vail is a very pedestrian-friendly destination, thanks to the car-free streets of Lionshead and Vail Village. Walking & biking paths connect many of the shops, restaurants and hotels in town, and Vail's extensive recreation trails make it safe and enjoyable to walk from village to village and beyond. Ride-shares and taxis are available but aren't super plentiful so expect longer wait times than in a bigger city!
Airport Deets
The local Vail/Eagle County Regional Airport is only a 40-minute drive or shuttle ride away from Vail, but most visitors fly into Denver and drive along I-70. Denver International Airport is only a 2-hour drive from Vail. Plus, the spectacular drive from the airport into the Rockies and over the Continental Divide is an experience in itself!
History
Vail was founded in the 1960s by Pete Seibert, a famous skier, and a local rancher. The area was named after Charles Vail, the highway engineer who routed the highway (now I-70) through the Eagle Valley back in 1940. Once the ski resort opened on the mountain the village expanded throughout the Valley -- with housing, resorts, boutiques, and dining springing up for locals & visitors alike. By 1969, Vail was the most popular ski resort in the state, and it only continued to increase in demand! Currently, Vail the third largest ski area in North America. Although Vail was originally designed for skiing, it quickly became a year round destination for guided hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding, carriage rides and fishing. Vail is also developing as a cultural center, with various art and music venues active throughout the year.
Why Am I Here?
No matter when you are visiting Vail it is a magical place where you can connect with nature and enjoy all the luxuries of a city! In the summer, the days are long, with the sun staying high in the sky for many hours! You can enjoy a hike through the forests and meadows, view wildlife, ride a bike or a horse, or simply enjoy sitting under a tree with a good book. And of course Vail is world-famous for skiing! Vail boasts three distinct mountain areas, each with their own features, including three terrain parks, seven bowls and 5,289 acres of freeride ski terrain. The area is also very wide, which means finding fresh snow is easy! In fact, on an average day, there are only two skiers per acre, and on a busy day, only four!
Weather
Due to its location high in the Rocky Mountain range, the weather in Vail is subject to change quickly. From heavy snow showers to bright sunny days, from mountain rain showers to dry, calm afternoons, you should plan on any type of weather. Plan ahead and bring along a coat in the summer and plan on possibly shedding some of your clothing in the winter.
Local Delicacies
As Vail has grown, its culinary scene has sparked some well-deserved attention! Vail’s Bavarian roots are just the beginning of the town’s international melting pot restaurant scene. Before Vail was a Bavarian-inspired mountain town, it was ranchland, so it’s no surprise that it’s home to a variety of steakhouses as well. From fine French dining to authentic Italian or Japanese cuisine, there’s something for every preference!
Souvenirs
The golden bear is the symbol of the Vail Valley so be sure to pick up a necklace or keychain for a cute reminder of your trip! For a more practical souvenir a pair of high-end sunglasses is not a bad bet ... because you probably didn't think to bring sunglasses to your winter trip, huh?
Style
Even though Vail is more upscale than many resorts in the U.S. it's still hard to under dress. Expect to see a lot of high-end ski & outdoor apparel on the slopes and for your après ski moment afterwards expect to see a lot of quality mountain-friendly clothing-- think riding boots, shearling jackets, and cashmere sweaters for the ladies and Lululemon lounge pants & Patagonia fleeces for the fellas!
Must Know
Vail boasts the magical combination of averaging more than 300+ days of sunshine and 370+ inches of snow each year -- no better way to spend your adventure!
A crystal clear Colorado sky opens above us, a blue so deep it makes you dizzy. The occasional bright white wispy cloud dances across the firmament, punctuating the deep blue vault of heaven stretching over this paradise.
– Neil Hanson
