Vail

How to Get There

From Denver (97 mi): Take I-70 west through the Rocky Mountains, then use Exit 176 or 178 and follow signs directly into the village and ski resort areas.

Overview

Home to Vail Ski Resort, the largest ski mountain in Colorado, Vail is known for its hotels, dining, and for the numerous events the city hosts annually, such as the Vail Film Festival, Vail Resorts Snow Days, and Bravo! Vail.

Vail was incorporated in 1966, four years after the opening of Vail Ski Resort. The ski area was founded by Pete Seibert and local rancher Earl Eaton in 1962, at the base of Vail Pass. The pass was named after Charles Vail, the highway engineer who routed U.S. Highway 6 through the Eagle Valley in 1940, which eventually became Interstate 70.

In December 1962, Vail officially opened for its first season. It operated a gondola lift and two ski lifts on the mountain owned by the United States Forest Service. The village was established at the base of the mountain for local residents and offered lodging for visitors. It quickly grew throughout the valley, with housing added first in East Vail and then West Vail, and additional lodging added in Lionshead in the late 1960s.

Within the first year, the village had a ski shop, a ski boutique, a hotel and restaurant. By 1969, Vail was the most popular ski resort in the state. In 1988 Vail opened China Bowl, making Vail the third largest ski area in North America.

Vail Mountain

Vail Mountain rises from 8,120 feet (2,470 m) to 11,570 feet (3,530 m), giving a vertical rise of 3,450 feet (1,050 m). It has a 5,289 acres (2,140 ha) skiable area, 33 ski lifts, 193 marked skiing trails on three faces: the front side, the back bowls, and Blue Sky Basin. The seven back bowls are Sun Down Bowl, Sun Up Bowl, Teacup Bowl, China Bowl, Siberia Bowl, Inner Mongolia Bowl, and Outer Mongolia Bowl. Blue Sky Basin includes Pete's Bowl and Earl's Bowl. The mountain resort also includes 17 miles of recreation paths, botanical gardens, and an outdoor amphitheater.

The Vail economy relies heavily on tourism. The main attraction in Vail is winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding on the mountain, in addition to snowmobiling and snowshoeing, among many other winter sports. Vail is also a summer resort and golfing center. Summer activities include 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 summer. The town has a developed culinary center, with a variety of restaurants.

Interstate 70 runs east-west through the middle of Vail and is the only road to or from Vail, with exits at East Vail, at the base of Vail Pass, the town of Vail, and West Vail. From the east, the highway comes from Denver, 97 miles (156 km) away, passes through Eisenhower Tunnel and over the Continental Divide, by-passing Loveland Pass, and over Vail Pass, dropping down into Vail Valley.

Things to Do

Experience One of Colorado's Premier Mountain Destinations

Vail is one of the most famous resort towns in North America, known for its world-class skiing, alpine scenery, luxury accommodations, and year-round outdoor recreation. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Vail combines European-inspired village charm with exceptional access to mountain adventures in every season.

Explore Vail Mountain

Vail Mountain is one of the largest ski resorts in the United States, offering thousands of acres of terrain, legendary Back Bowls, and diverse runs for every skill level. During the summer, the mountain transforms into a hub for hiking, mountain biking, scenic gondola rides, ziplining, and family-friendly activities.

Stroll Through Vail Village and Lionshead

Vail Village and Lionshead Village feature pedestrian-friendly streets lined with shops, restaurants, art galleries, outdoor plazas, and luxury accommodations. Inspired by European alpine villages, the area offers a unique atmosphere for dining, shopping, and sightseeing.

Visit Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

One of the highest botanical gardens in North America, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens showcases alpine plants from around the world. Visitors can enjoy beautiful gardens, educational exhibits, walking paths, and scenic views along Gore Creek.

Enjoy Outdoor Recreation Along Gore Creek

Gore Creek winds through Vail and provides opportunities for fly fishing, photography, riverside walks, and wildlife viewing. The creek's scenic setting enhances the natural beauty of the village and surrounding mountain landscape.

Discover Adventure Throughout the Gore Range

The mountains surrounding Vail offer exceptional hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting, camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors can explore alpine meadows, wildflower-filled valleys, pristine lakes, and rugged mountain peaks throughout the region.

Top Trails

Booth Falls Trail

Length: Approximately 4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,400 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

One of Vail's most popular hikes, Booth Falls Trail leads to a spectacular waterfall surrounded by forested slopes and mountain scenery. Hikers seeking a longer adventure can continue beyond the falls to Booth Lake.

Booth Lake Trail

Length: Approximately 8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 2,000 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous

Continuing beyond Booth Falls, this scenic alpine hike reaches a beautiful mountain lake beneath the peaks of the Gore Range. Wildflowers, waterfalls, and panoramic views make this one of the area's premier hikes.

Gore Valley Trail

Length: Approximately 12 miles one way
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This paved multi-use trail follows Gore Creek through Vail Valley and is ideal for walking, jogging, cycling, and sightseeing. The route connects neighborhoods, parks, villages, and recreation areas throughout Vail.

Piney Lake Trail

Length: Approximately 6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Located north of Vail, this scenic trail begins near Piney Lake and travels through meadows, forests, and mountain terrain with impressive views of the Gore Range. It is particularly popular during wildflower season and for photography.

Sources: Vail official tourism resources, including information on Vail Mountain, Vail Village, Lionshead Village, outdoor recreation, events, dining, and year-round activities. https://discovervail.com/https://discovervail.com/
Additional information verified through Vail Resort visitor resources covering skiing, scenic gondola rides, hiking, mountain biking, family activities, and mountain operations. https://www.vail.com/https://www.vail.com/
Further trail and recreation information reviewed through White River National Forest resources and Betty Ford Alpine Gardens visitor information covering Booth Falls, Booth Lake, Gore Valley Trail, Piney Lake, alpine ecosystems, and outdoor recreation opportunities. https://www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriverhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver
https://bettyfordalpinegardens.org/https://bettyfordalpinegardens.org/

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Vail Ski Resort", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0