Boasting Colorado’s largest ski resort, Vail draws snow worshippers from around the world to more than 5,000 acres (2,025 hectares) of expertly groomed trails. At the base, Vail Village and Lionshead Village echo the Old World charm of the Austrian alps, with an added upscale flair to abundant dining and shopping options. There are still plenty of things do in Vail outside of ski and snowboard season though, from hiking Booth Falls Trail to tacking the Vail Pass Bike Path on two wheels or fishing in Gore Creek.
The slopes at Vail Ski Resort and Beaver Creek Resort are snowy from November through April, with peak conditions generally kicking off in December. For outdoorsy travelers, Vail’s other prime travel season runs between June and September, when the area invites visitors to hike its aspen forests, mountain bike, and go fly fishing. While nights turn cold in September and October, this is a great time of year for leaf-peeping, as summer’s pale-green aspen forests turn brilliant gold in the fall.
The two ski resorts’ chairlifts and gondolas deliver skiers right to the restaurants, bars, and shops in Vail’s car-free town center. Between that walkable downtown, ample bike paths, and a year-round network of free local buses, it’s easy to get around Vail without your own vehicle. If you do have a car—which can be helpful for accessing further-flung trailheads—you’ll find paid overnight parking at many hotels and at two city-run parking structures in Vail Village and Lionshead.
Don’t procrastinate when it comes to buying lift tickets for Vail Ski Resort and Beaver Creek Resort. Prices fluctuate over time, and the best deals are generally available when you book at least a week in advance. Another money-saving strategy is to make the most of Vail’s booming après-ski scene: While dining can be expensive at dinner time, many bars offer happy-hour specials on appetizers and drinks.
