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Vail, Colorado can be found on the land that the Ute tribe referred to as, “The Shining Mountains.” The valley was a retreat for the Utes until settlers in the 1800s forced the Native Americans to flee. In the late 1800s, the area was now attracting greedy fortune seekers. News was spreading quickly that the mountains had gold and silver. Thus, mines were build, railroad tracks were laid down, and the gold rush began in the valley.
Like most mountain towns, the gold rush ended and miners’ left the area, but sheep ranchers remained. It wasn’t until 1939, when highway 6 was built for the Vail Pass that this area started to gain attention. During the second world war, Vail was used for back country survival training. After the war, three veterans dreamed up a mountain ski resort, and now Vail Resort has grown what it is today.
When you visit Vail, Colorado, you’ll notice a bit of a European feel. (It feels like you’re in a fairytale village.) Vail has a Bavarian-inspired atmosphere and architecture. One of the founders intentionally designed the town to resemble European alpine villages, particularly those in Bavaria, after seeing them during World War II. Vail is now a year-round destination, from the wildflowers in the summers, to the world-famous ski destination in the winter.
No matter the season, Vail is a destination that blends adventure with elegance. Whether you seek the thrill of the slopes, the serenity of mountain trails, or the indulgence of fine dining, Vail, Colorado, is a place to visit. Pack your bags and get ready to experience one of the most breathtaking mountain towns in the world!
Where to Stay in Vail
From five-star resorts to cozy mountain lodges, Vail caters to travelers looking for comfort and indulgence. Luxury spas offer rejuvenating treatments, and fine dining establishments serve up everything from locally sourced cuisine to international flavors. Whether staying at the iconic Sonnenalp Hotel or the Christiana Lodge, visitors are treated to top-notch hospitality.
We have visited Vail during ski season and we tried to find the best deal on the resort while also easily hitting the slopes. Since we visited Vail with friends from out of town, we splurged a little for the ultimate stay at Tivoli Lodge. The customer service from the moment we arrived to when we left was fantastic. We arrived in the morning; they helped unload our car and stored our luggage until the room was ready.
After we returned from a day of skiing to check in, our bags were already waiting for us in the room. Robes were placed out for us so we could change and head to the hot tub. The hot tub outside was an excellent way to calm our muscles, and the bar was conveniently located just inside.
For other ski accommodations, we looked into staying in Lionshead Village. The Hythe and The Landmark are highly rated.
Where to Eat & Drink in Vail
Hot chocolate at the Four Seasons
Truthfully, I hope they film the White Lotus at this resort. Warning: The hot chocolate served at the Four Seasons Rebel Bar is $25 (designed for two) This is completely over priced and sounds a little outrageous. Naturally, I had to see what the fuss was about! I can honestly say that all four of us that tried the hot chocolate agreed it’s the best hot chocolate we’ve ever had. If we had more time, we would’ve waited for a seat outdoors with a view to complete the experience.
Alpenrose
A Vail staple since 1974, Alpenrose has been on my radar since I moved to Colorado years ago. This restaurant got a small refresh in 2018 when new owners took over, but they kept the Bavarian feel alive here. I’m inspired by the culture of Bavaria, and Alpenrose provides popular Bavarian cuisine and ambiance in its restaurant. The professional and passionate team at Alpenrose is from Austria and Germany, giving Alpenrose an authentic taste of Bavaria in Colorado. We ordered the Pretzel and cheese dip, served off an antler. We all ordered different dishes: Schnitzel, chili con carne, schweizer bergsalat, and schweinebraten. All the dishes received positive reviews at our table.
Gorsuch Ski Cafe
Another Bavarian inspired cafe, but with a twist. From one entrance, you think you’re entering a ski store. Along the walls you’ll find sneakers, ski gear, and other outdoor bits available for purchase. As you walk through the store, you’ll find bright red tables that will lead you to the other entrance. There you’ll discover the counter and bakery case filled with freshly made pastries. Gorsuch Ski Cafe was our first stop in Vail while our friends went to pick up their passes, and we enjoyed both the chocolate croissant and buttery croissants.
The Little Diner
Little Diner is Vail’s only full-service diner, and they serve breakfast all day! Not only is Little Diner locally owned and operated, but the menu truly has it all for breakfast. I’d say the prices are fairly standard for a ski town. From the drip coffee to iced latte, to cappuccino, all the coffee options passed our taste tests. The eggs Benedict was fantastic, but we were most impressed by the blueberry syrup offered to top our pancakes. The portions here are pretty large and we left very satisfied.
Sweet Basil
For a legendary local establishment, look no further than Sweet Basil. Sweet Basil has been in Vail since 1977, and became a Michelin-recommended restaurant in 2023.
La Nonna Ristorante
After spending our wedding week in Italy, we’ve become fairly particular with our Italian. La Nonna Ristorante makes fresh pasta daily, and the menu is inspired by the cook’s ?nonna” or grandmother, which is a menu filled with rustic, Italian cuisine.
Apres Ski Locations
Before we went to Vail we researched that our best options for Apres Ski were: Red Lion, Shakedown Bar, and the George. Our favorite was hands down the Red Lion – there was live music and it’s a big space so a lot of skiers make their way here after the last chair for a good time. I also had lunch at Red Lion and the portions are great. The ?world famous nachos” didn’t disappoint either.
Things to Do in Vail in Winter
Ski
With 5,300 acres of ski terrain, back bowls, and ski resorts, this is a must try. If you live in Colorado and plan to ski all season, I recommend the EPIC pass. We have the EPIC pass, so we already had ski lift passes here. If you don’t have the EPIC pass, you can choose to get day passes that range from $118-$200+.
Snowshoe
There are plenty of locations to rent snowshoes in Vail. Stop by Vail Ski Tech, Christy Sports, Vail Nordic Center, or the Beaver Creek Nordic Center to get your rentals.
Skate at the Lionshead skating rink
The Alderhof Ice Rink is located in the Vail Lionshead Village. The rink offers a stunning outdoor ice skating experience. There are skate rentals available and open daily during the winter months. There are other rinks if this one is too busy – you can try the Solaris Plaza Ice Rink in Vail Village or the Dobson Ice Arena.
Shop in the village
The quaint, cobblestone streets of Vail are filled with shops. Ranging from high end boutiques to outdoor gear, you can really find anything in Vail. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, sometimes walking through these stores and appreciating the selection can be interesting. A full list of shops is here.
When all else fails, Apres Ski
Some reasonable apres ski for visitors include the red lion, Shakedown Bar, and the George. There are Apres all Day events at the Express Lift Bar. This is at the base of Gondola One in Vail Village.
Things to Do in Vail in Summer
We’ve yet to visit in summer, but it’s on our list for this year. Summer brings horseback rides through kaleidoscopic wildflower meadows, rugged ATV trails, rock-climbing, and other outdoor adventures. You can plan your days around whitewater rafting, festivals and the open-air Farmers’ Market & Art Show. Here are a few things we plan on doing when we visit in warmer months.
Fly fish
Gore Creek runs through the heart of Vail and is a local favorite. Eagle River and Colorado River are other options where you can find brown trout and rainbow trout. For stunning views, Piney Lake is a high alpine lake where you can rent a canoe to access the middle of the lake. Nottingham Lake is an option to fish from the pier.
Hike
Anywhere you hike in this area will provide spectacular views. Alltrails will be a great place to find a hike that’s the distance and difficulty you’re seeking.
Camp
There are plenty of campsites to choose from. The closest campground to Vail is Gore Creek campground, but there are others down the road such as Blue River Campground and Camp Hale Memorial.
Campgrounds can fill up quickly in Colorado. Some campgrounds open dates six months before at 8am – it’s best practice to set an alarm for six months before the weekend you’d like to camp and try to guarantee a spot then. If you didn’t do this, don’t stress. Most campgrounds set aside a few sites and open those one month before at 8am, and some sites on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Colorado is filled with breathtaking views and plenty of activities for the outdoors. Vail, Colorado is a perfect example of the beauty Colorado offers its residents and visitors.
