In Vail, old-world Alpine charm meets contemporary Colorado chic, as imagined by Disney.
The picturesque town, about a two-hour drive west of Denver, was founded in 1966 as the companion to the recently opened Vail Ski Resort. The area, known for its breathtaking mountain views, is now the largest ski destination in North America and has an international reputation as one of the world’s leading ski resorts.
Vail is home to about 5,300 residents and 5,000 or so part-time residents with vacation properties. Lionshead Village and Vail Village are the affluent heart of Vail and are car-free, with heated walkways and cobblestone streets connecting ski shops and posh boutiques, bars and restaurants. East Vail and West Vail, two of Vail’s earliest neighborhoods, are slightly removed from the resort hubbub and are popular with local residents. Multimillion-dollar condos, penthouses and homes can be found throughout the area, but many new residences are either remodels or replacements for houses built in the ’80s and ’90s. Mountain contemporary and transitional styles can be found in custom and spec homes nestled along streets such as Beaver Dam Road, Forest Road, Mill Creek Circle and Rockledge Road.
Popular ski resorts are a big draw for the area. (Shutterstock)
The Vibe in Vail
Vail manages to be both a mega-resort and a small town where it’s easy to feel at home. It attracts active people who love the outdoors – and there’s more on offer than just winter sports. In summer, you can practice your putt at the Vail Golf Club, mountain bike, fish in Gore Creek, ride a horse or hike with a llama. If you need a break from the sporting life, you can immerse yourself in music, dance and film festivals that attract top-tier talent; an Oktoberfest; a Kris Kringle Market and more. Vail is often crowded during peak times – it averages about 2.8 million visitors a year – and extreme weather sometimes makes activities challenging.
How the Locals Live in Vail
Landmarks
Vail Ski Resort ranks among the world’s top 10 ski destinations with more than 5,300 acres of skiable terrain, seven back bowls, two gondolas, 32 chairlifts and 195 trails.
The acclaimed Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is known for its alpine horticulture, education and conservation. It is the highest elevation botanical garden in North America at 8,200 feet.
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, named for the former president and Vail’s most distinguished resident, is a 10-minute walk from the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. The venue hosts free summer concerts as well as dance and music festivals.
The Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame’s interactive exhibits illustrate the history of Vail, skiing and snowboarding, and the Army’s famous 10th Mountain Division.
People gather in one of Vail’s multiple shopping areas. (Shutterstock)
Dining and Shopping
You’ll find plenty of places to shop in Lionshead and Vail Village, including T-shirt kiosks, stores selling locally made goods and designer boutiques. Favorites include high-end ski-wear and apparel retailer Gorsuch, outdoor outfitters Patagonia and North Face, and Kemo Sabe, for Western wear and custom hats and boots.
For dining out, the Vail Chophouse, at the base of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead Village, is a popular choice for steaks and seafood. At family-friendly Blue Moose, also in Lionshead, you can order a custom pizza or a seasonal-themed pie. Unwind at long-time favorite Sweet Basil, which has a top-notch wine list and serves Colorado lamb and beef. In Vail Village, chow down on the cowboy steak or crisp trout at the Bully Ranch in the Sonnenalp Hotel. If you crave sushi, Matsuhisa offers yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, white fish tiradito and other new-style adaptations of Japanese cuisine.
Vail Farmers’ Market is open every Sunday during the summer with more than 140 vendors.
People gather in one of Vail’s multiple shopping areas. (Shutterstock)
Need to know
The easiest way to reach Vail is through the small Eagle County Regional Airport, about a 40-minute drive west of Vail and serviced by Delta, United and American. If you’re traveling by charter or private plane, Vail Valley Jet Center, on the south side of the airport, can assist with in-flight catering, passenger and crew transportation and hangar reservations.
Vail is about a two-hour drive from Denver International Airport on Interstate 70, but it can take longer during peak ski periods or bad weather.
Education
Red Sandstone Elementary is Vail’s community school with students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Battle Mountain High School in Edwards, about 14 miles from Vail, serves area teenagers.
The Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy in nearby Minturn is the country’s first public school offering student athletes opportunities for serious training and competition while developing independent learning skills.
The private Vail Mountain School has more than 400 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
