Winter in Vail

With a world-class ski mountain out the front door, a range of other outdoor adventures, and an energetic night life, Vail is the place to be when winter's in full swing! Magnificent powder, brilliant blue skies, or gently falling flakes of white create a winter wonderland for everyone to enjoy.

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NOVA GUIDES - 719.486.2656 - 888.949.NOVA - Guided Snowmobile Tours, Unguided Rentals, Snowcoach Tours, Dogsledding

PERFORMANCE SPORTS - 970.476.1712 - Lionshead Mall, Vail // Ski Rentals and Repair

VAIL RECREATION DISTRICT - 970.479.2279 - Fun Activites, Programs & Sports for All Ages!

Alpine skiing and snowboarding are what makes Vail famous. No wonder Vail has been selected the #1 ski resort in North America by readers of SkI MAGAZINE 10 times since 1988. With over 5,200 skiable acres, 193 ski trails, 31 lifts, three terrain parks, and a super park, each snowrider can spend hours enjoying groomed cruisers or challenging runs and terrain parks. The seven back bowls are legendary for their deep and light powder. Vail's top-notch ski and snowboard instructors teach newcomers the basics, improve skills for intermediates, and take advanced snowriders on some of the most challenging and exciting terrain around. Special programs are available for children, women, and adaptive guests.

Non-skiing family members can ride up the Eagle Bahn Gondola and enjoy spectacular vistas of the craggy peaks of the Gore Range to the north and the Mount of the Holy Cross to the southwest. At the top of the gondola you will find Adventure RidgeTM which is full of activities for kids young and old. A multi-lane tubing hill provides thrills for everyone. Try an orienteering course that will challenge your compass and map reading skills. Maybe you want something warmer on a chilly day? Indoor laser tag might just fit the bill. The Nature Discovery Center is full of information about birds, mammals, forest resources and local history. Ski biking - bikes with skis - is a blast! Evening tours include head lamps to light the way.

Snowshoeing & Cross Country Skiing provide a leisurely and quiet way to experience the sights and sounds of winter on groomed trails at Nordic centers or on the rugged trails of the White River National Forest.

Dogsleds glide silently through the old training grounds of the 10th Mountain Division troops. For another memorable experience, heated snowcoaches tour the beautiful valley under the peaks of the Continental Divide.

Snowmobiling is an ultimate winter thrill for many people. Riders can choose between trips on many miles of groomed trails or fields of unbroken powder under majestic peaks. Several special tracks allow young snowmobilers to try their hand at riding on smaller machines just their size. Some tours include lunch or a starry night of dinner under the stars.

Ice Skate indoors at the Dobson Arena or at the outdoor rink at the Vail Golf Course. There is also an outdoor rink at Adventure RidgeTM at the top of Eagle Bahn Gondola.

Ice fishing in winter gives the angler a chance for solitude in a beautiful, peaceful setting surrounded by trees bedecked in puffs of snow.

Visit the Colorado Ski Museum and the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame. Document the history of skiing in Colorado and the famous 10th Mountain Division troops of World War II and learn how the returning soldiers played an important role in the development of ski areas across the United States and particularly in Colorado.

After an exhilarating day on the slopes or the backcountry, Vail offers many bars and restaurants for après ski and great dining. Those who want to relax can enjoy a unique experience settled under warm blankets in an old fashioned sleigh for a ride to a delicious dinner.

The winter wonderland of Vail offers something for everyone with winter fun outdoors, galleries, shops, great dining and nightlife.

MOUNTAIN INFORMATION

The three base areas of Vail Mountain are Golden Peak, Vail Village & lionsHead. during the winter season, signs are posted daily at all three base areas with grooming reports & trail access information. Trail maps for those unfamiliar with the mountain can be found at all lift ticket windows, on-mountain lodges & throughout the base areas. Visitors should also familiarize themselves with the skier responsibility code on the trail map.

• Adventure Ridge offers great activities for families and kids. Tubing, ski bikes, a children's snowmobile track and ice skating are available.

• Vail is home to some of the best ski and snowboard instructors in the world. Lessons are available for all levels of skiers, snowboarders, or telemark skiers. Newcomers to any of these activities are strongly advised to take a lesson--your knees and elbows will thank you for it later!

• The FREE PEAKS program is the best money and time saver for multiple day skiers and snowboarders. Contact any of the Vail Resorts lift ticket offices to purchase. Open until 4:30 p.m. daily.

• Blue Sky Basin is one of Vail's farthest to reach areas and is accessible by several lifts and trails from the front of the mountain. There are no dining options in the area, but a warming hut and bathrooms are available.

• Always be aware of lift opening and closing times.

• Tired legs are dangerous. If your legs are tired, download on the Vista Bahn, Riva Bahn, or Gondola rather than taking your chances with an injury.

• When a storm moves in, snow can accumulate quickly and the temperature can plunge. Layers are always the best way to go, with a waterproof layer on the outside. Goggles always work much better than sunglasses. The snow report is updated every morning at 970.496.4111.

TUNE INTO TV8 (channel 8) & Plum TV (channel 16) to find updated information on weather, events,
activities & highlights for everything to do in Vail.

START YOUR DAY WITH A FREE Vail daily newspaper for your weekly event planning.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Vail Mountain, visit www.Vail.snow.com

STATEWIDE ROAD CONDITIONS & closures are available. Please call 1.877.315.7623
www.VailChamber.org