Vail, Colorado is the most popular winter lover’s destination for skiing and snowboarding. It is the biggest ski resort in the world with 5,200 acres of developed ski and snowboard terrain.
There are plenty of other activities to do in the small mountain town like snowmobiling and snowshoeing to hailstorms down the mountainside.
Here are the best things to do in Vail Colorado Winter:
Things to Do in Vail Colorado Winter
1. Ice Skating in Vail Colorado
Ice Skating is one of the best things to do in Vail Colorodo in Winter. It has several ice fields throughout the valley for you to choose from and has a unique character.
There are two small outdoor ice rinks, one the Lionshead Village and the other one is Vail Village.
You can rent ice skates at the nearby store where you will have fun with this leisure activity with the whole family.
If you are looking for a bigger skating experience, try Dobson Ice Rinks, the larger indoor public skating with private lessons and Yeti Hockey games.
2. Snowshoeing in Vail Colorado
Snowshoeing – is an ideal way to explore and view the scenery of the mountains, learn about the wildlife and plants, and get some exercise.
It is great for a few reasons, a good workout, you’re outside, and compared the most winter sports it is pretty cheap.
You can have a tour guide with an expert naturalist to learn about your surroundings or rent a pair of snowshoes and go on your own. If you want to go alone, just get the mapped trails to enjoy or join a guided tour.
The tours are educational and provide information on winter ecology and animal adaptations for daytime nocturnal animals.
You can rent a piece of equipment and maps at the Vail Nordic Center and the Eagle Ranch Golf Course Nordic and Snowshoe Center.
The places to choose from if you want to experience snowshoeing, Tennessee Pass Nordic Center is located 3 min. away from Vail.
Meadow Mountain is a favorite spot of locals that the trail is 9 miles out-and-back and the Vail Nordic Center is located at the Vail Golf Course in East Vail.
Snowmobiling – is also one of the best attractions in Vail during winter. It is one of the most thrilling sensations and most unforgettable things to do outdoors and experience the prominent and huge-open landscape of the Rocky Mountains.
If you want to see the mountains without a board strapped to your feet, climb the splendid vistas along the Continental Divide and get a full view of the surrounding including some of Colorado’s tallest 14,000-foot peaks.
There are some snowmobile companies that provide guided tours or you can avail of their accommodations like Vail Snowmobiling and Rentals, Nova Guides, and Sage Outdoor Adventures.
They include things to rent like helmets, snowsuits, and boots. You can book a half or full-day snowmobiling trip through an outfitter like Nova Guides offers 360 views with miles of meadows to ride.
Snowmobiling is definitely one of the best things to do in Vail Colorado winter.
4. Snow Tubing in Vail, Colorado
Snow Tubing – is located in Adventure Ridge and a field-sized snow park up the Eagle Bahn Gondola. It is one of the best things to do in Vail Colorado during winter, together with family or friends and is suitable for children of all ages.
Adventure Ridge not only offers snow tubing but also ski biking and even a roller coaster on top of the mountain. Riders ride puffed-up inner tubes down a snow-packed lane with music playing and they have a magic carpet ride to rush them back to the top to rinse and repeat.
There are some places to go on tubing like Meadow Mountain a very popular local tubing spot, Beaver Creek, Eagle, Eagle-Vail, and Vail will take you to Lionshead Gondola and go tubing.
5. Ski Biking in Vail, Colorado
Ski Biking – is a unique thing to do that takes place at night starting 5 pm or 5:30 pm at the top of the Lionshead Gondola wherein you are going to ride down the hill on a ski bike with a headlamp attached to your helmet.
A ski bike is a bike but instead of wheels, there is one ski that is more fun for the skier or snowboarded that is warm with blues and black.
6. Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster in Vail Colorado
Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster – is located in Adventure Ridge where you fly through the forest on a raised alpine coaster, winding down the mountain while looking at the beautiful scenery. This exciting adventure takes you 3,400 feet down the natural shape of the mountain.
You can also personalize your ride to suit your level of enjoyment every car in the coaster is controlled by a driver and you can slide at a more relaxed pace to take along the sights of full speed to get your thrilling sensation.
You can see the magnificent surrounding views of the Mount of Holy Cross, Beaver Creek, the lower range, and many local wildlife.
7. Horseback Riding in Vail Colorado
Horseback Riding – it is one of the best-kept secrets for exploring the wonder and peace of Vail Village. There are different ranches that are available if you want to experience horseback riding,
Sage Outfitters has a 6,000-acre private ranch, 10 miles and it is open only to their guests, 4 Eagle Ranch has a 1,200-acre private playground that is about 30 minutes from the Vail Village in which you are going to see the spectacular views of Sawatch Range, Castle Peak and Red and White Mountain.
4 Eagle Ranch is open 7 days a week for 1 – 2 hours of guided tours to the whole family and also experience riding on a sleigh in a cabin on the ranch for dinner.
7. Gondola Rides in Vail Colorado
Gondola Rides –is also one of the awesome things to do in Vail Colorado during winter. This is a superb way to have fun and see the magnificent scenery of Vail and Gore Range Mountain is to take a ride in one of its gondolas.
You have to choose whether you are going to ride on Vail Village and Eagle Bahn both ascending 10,000 feet up the mountain.
The first gondola will give you the opportunity to take awe-inspiring photos of the Sawatch Range, the Gore Range, and the Mount of the Holy Cross.
The second gondola is the newest and the most enjoyable with LED lighting, heated seats, and WIFI.
It is for the whole family that will give you the opportunity to view the Vail Valley and the prices are definitely cheaper.
9. Indulge in a Spa Day, Vail Colorado
Indulge in a Spa Day – after you nourish some of the activities in Vail, it is time for you to unwind and ease those pain, and anguish, recoup that soaking in warm water and pamper it at the spa.
Vail being the best resort has some spas throughout the Valley like Spa Anjali at the Westin which features 14 treatment rooms with a full-service salon and a world-class Athletic Club.
The Four Seasons Vail offers relaxing pools, a meditation garden, and resting rooms with spa treatment and the last is Rock Resorts Spa offers massages and body treatment only.
10. Apres Ski in Vail
Apres Ski – skiing is not essential to participate in any mountain hobby whether you are going to hit the slopes or not still it worth the trip to the mountain.
You can find many spots to enjoy great beer, food, and conservation which travelers or tourists would love to go on apres spots like The Ritz-Cariton at Bachelor Gulch in which they are giving free hot cocoa, cookies, and candy for special occasions.
Red Lion at Vail Village offers live music, food, and drinks. Pepi’s in Vail Village is more sophisticated than Red Lion.
Maya at the Westin, a Mexican food spot that offers tasty margaritas and tacos. The George serves cheap drinks in a lively dive bar atmosphere.
Garfinkel’s offers cheap craft beer, delicious bar bites, and a view of the slopes and the last is Coyote Café in Beaver Creek Village offers a great menu with live music.
