Vail makes for a quintessential winter getaway with its remarkable terrain, Bavarian-style ski village, and various snow-specific activities. Whether spending all your time in the back bowls, exploring all +5,000 acres of terrain, or simply soaking in the mountain lifestyle, Vail promises an elite experience on and off the slopes. Once you’ve landed on where to stay in Vail, you can start planning what to do in Vail! Read below for a list of our favorite activities in Vail.
Skiing Adventures in Vail
Vail Mountain Resort
You will need multiple days to cover Vail’s 5,000 acres of varied terrain! From gentle slopes to challenging bowls, it’s impossible to be bored. Note I would have a strategy for how you want to spend your time at the mountain to minimize traversing since the resort area is massive. You can also opt for private lessons and ski school for your kids to master your skills and get insider knowledge of the resort and town.
Back Bowls of Vail
I will never forget the first time I saw the Back Bowls of Vail – truly a winter fever dream. We started the day by taking an easy but very long and winding trail from the front of the mountain to the back. Each turn brings us closer to our version of heaven: 3,017 acres of untouched powder not visible from any populated place on land, just by air or skiing. In hindsight – this experience fully cemented my love for the sport. I had enjoyed skiing immensely until then, but nothing has ever replicated that feeling of wonder, awe, and appreciation for life and earth like Vail’s legendary back bowls.
Adventure Ridge at Vail
From mid-December through April, Adventure Ridge in the Lodge at Lionshead is open from 2-9 p.m. Adventure Ridge is an excellent option for families to continue nighttime skiing and other winter activities after sunset.
Excursion Skiing around Vail
Paragon Guides boasts many alternatives to resort skiing, including backcountry skiing, backcountry hut trips, and cross-country ski trips.
Spas in Vail
The number of spa options in Vail may rival the skiable acres at the resort! This section was tricky to write because of how many amazing spas and treatments there are to choose from – from altitude-specific treatments to sports massages for keeping you in top slope shape during your trip.
Sonnenalp Spa: European elegance meets alpine authenticity with great facials and massages at this spa. Post-treatment, take advantage of the whirlpool areas with relaxing views of Gore Creek or hit the oxygen bar to help with acclimatization.
RockResorts Spa at The Lodge at Vail: Prides itself on eco-conscious luxury while using organic botanical technologies and ingredients indigenous to the area for the treatments, with rustic Colorado vibes.
The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Vail: A high-quality experience where you can’t go wrong. It has various spa and wellness treatments and is known for the specialty high altitude adjustment massage.
Bloom Spa at The Sebastian: Contemporary spa with a fresh and vibrant approach to wellness. Try a CBD massage for a twist on a classic massage or one of the many altitude and sports massages and treatments.
Dining in Vail
The best resort towns come with the best dining options. Vail has everything from casual eateries to fine dining with mountain views, plus solid apres-ski and nightlife options.
Dining Experiences in Vail
Alpenrose: Private Gondola Dinner Experience
Four Seasons: “Haute” Chocolate
Swiss Chalet: Fondue and Raclette
Fine Dining in Vail
Sweet Basil Vail: Perhaps the most well-loved restaurant in all of Vail. A local staple spanning decades of delicious dining focused on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients for modern American cuisine.
Matsuhisa (inside The Solaris): With panoramic mountain views, dine on Peruvian Japanese fusion with extensive sake and wine pairings. While this is not your typical mountain meal, each plate is an edible work of art.
Flame Restaurant (inside Four Seasons Vail): A self-proclaimed modern mountain steakhouse, Flame emphasizes farm-to-table excellence. Sourcing prime cuts of meat and fish from the region, you can’t go wrong with trying the Bison Ribeye and Colorado Trout signature dishes for a cozy yet elegant meal.
Casual Dining in Vail
Mountain Standard: Opened by the creators of Sweet Basil. Emphasis on wood-fired creations and local flavors of the Rockies in a rustic tavern setting.
Fall Line Kitchen: A hearty and casual meal that feels like traveling back to the ski days past in a retro 60s après-ski aesthetic.
Big Bear Bistro: Cozy outdoor patio setting in Vail Village with sandwiches on freshly baked daily bread varieties.
Pepi’s: A cherished Vail landmark awaits with a mix of traditional European dishes and American classics.
Après & Nightlife in Vail:
Après-ski in Vail is a cherished tradition that is not to be missed! When the sun sets, the village transitions to a vibrant winter atmosphere with plenty of experiences to unwind. You can relax at casual eateries, cozy lounges, chic bars, fine dining restaurants, and live music options!
Casual Après-Ski in Vail
Los Amigos: Slope-side spot poised for prime people watching the skiers carve Pepi’s Face. Known for the margaritas, with delivery to East and West Vail after 5 p.m.
Garfinkel’s: Located in Lionshead Village, legendary Garf’s was made for après-ski. The massive outdoor deck is the perfect spot to wind down from a day of skiing while soaking in mountain views.
Fancy Après-Ski in Vail
The 10th: Named on behalf of the founders of Vail, the 10th Mountain Division, The 10th promises epic views of the Gore Range in an upscale on-mountain setting accessible via skiing or Gondola One.
The Remedy Bar: Come here to elevate your après-ski experience. Perfect for an array of crafted cocktails and gourmet bites where you can recover from the slopes in style.
Fun Nightlife in Vail Village
The Red Lion: Offering live entertainment from 4-6 pm and 9-11 pm daily in a traditional ski bar setting.
Shakedown Bar: A proper music venue established by music industry veterans with a solid bar selection. Come here for rock and roll and drinks one evening.
Bridge Street Bar: This is the spot for DJs and dancing. I suggest coming here on a night when you’re not planning to catch tomorrow’s first chair!
Specialty Bars in Vail Village
10th Mountain Whiskey: In case you haven’t realized just how important the 10th Mountain Division is to the history of Vail, here is another reminder! The distillery prides itself on being a tribute to the 10th and overall mountain lifestyle.
Root & Flower: Where wine meets winter in Vail Village. Offering over 50 types of wine and craft cocktails, plus wine-tasting and cocktail-making classes that are great for a group.
Explore the Town of Vail
Vail Village couples European elegance with rustic mountain charm. The pedestrian-friendly area has cobble-stone streets set against a backdrop of European chalet-style buildings with wood beams, stone facades, and sloped roofs.
Eagle Bahn Winter Scenic Gondola Ride: Based in Lionshead Village. Free in the winter from 3:30-9 p.m. and takes you 10,000 feet for sweeping views of Vail Valley.
Betty Ford Alpine Garden: An internationally renowned alpine botanical garden.
Colorado Snowsports Museum: If you want to learn more about, you guessed it, The 10th, here is your chance. The museum features fixed and rotating exhibits spanning snowsports history.
Vail Nordic Center: Offering Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking in the winter when you need a break from the slopes but still want to be active.
Excursions around Vail
Iron Mountain Hot Springs. About All photos are from our trip in February 2023! I highly recommend taking a day trip from Vail to the Glenwood Springs area, about an hour west of Vail. This is the perfect way to still explore while taking a break from the slopes, and especially an epic ending to your trip if you save for the last day.
Conclusion
Vail Ski Resort is a bucket-list mountain for serious skiers, so don’t sleep on a trip to this legendary resort! The blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, mountain lifestyle, and luxury living in Vail, Colorado, offers something special for everyone. Whether you’re an avid skier or simply seeking a proper mountain vacation, Vail beckons with the promise of a picturesque ski vacation on and off the slopes. From skiing down pristine pistes to exploring the history of this winter wonderland, Vail combines adventure and luxury in the perfect winter getaway.
