Vail in 3 days

Colorado's legendary alpine village for world-class skiing and summer mountain escapes. Best time to visit: December to March for skiing; June to September for hiking and festivals. Average daily budget: $200 to $400.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Vail Village, The heart of the resort with heated cobblestone streets, boutiques, après-ski bars, and direct gondola access.

Morning: Ski the Back Bowls. Seven legendary bowls of wide-open powder terrain stretching across the mountain's back side.

Afternoon: Explore Vail Village, The heart of the resort with heated cobblestone streets, boutiques, après-ski bars, and direct gondola access.

Evening: Après at the Red Lion. Vail's most famous après-ski bar, pouring drinks since 1963 in the heart of the village.

Eat: Sweet Basil, Vail's most acclaimed fine dining institution

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Lionshead, Quieter base area with the Eagle Bahn Gondola, family-friendly lodging, and its own dining scene.

Morning: Ride the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Scenic rides year-round to Eagle's Nest for hiking, dining, and Epic Discovery activities.

Afternoon: Explore Lionshead, Quieter base area with the Eagle Bahn Gondola, family-friendly lodging, and its own dining scene.

Evening: Hike Booth Falls Trail. A classic 4-mile round trip through aspens to a 60-foot waterfall just outside the village.

Eat: Matsuhisa, Nobu Matsuhisa's Japanese-Peruvian mountain outpost

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: East Vail, Residential valley with trailheads, waterfalls, and a more local, low-key feel.

Morning: Explore Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. The highest botanical gardens in North America, free to visit in summer.

Afternoon: Explore East Vail, Residential valley with trailheads, waterfalls, and a more local, low-key feel.

Evening: Attend Bravo! Vail. A summer classical music festival with the New York Philharmonic performing under the stars.

Eat: Garfinkel's, slope-side sports bar with a huge sunny deck

Hidden gems

Piney River Ranch, a remote lakeside outpost with canoes and moose sightings
Gore Creek fly fishing spots just steps from the village
Game Creek Club overlook at sunset (accessible by snowcat in winter)
Minturn Mile backcountry ski route ending at a saloon

Getting around

Fly into Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), 35 minutes away, or Denver (DEN), 2 hours via I-70. The free Vail in-town bus system connects all base areas, a car is unnecessary and parking is expensive. Winter shuttles run from Denver.

Safety

Vail is very safe. Altitude (8,150 ft at the base) causes headaches and fatigue, hydrate aggressively and take the first day easy. On the mountain, ski within your ability and watch for changing weather above treeline. Book lodging early for Christmas and Presidents' week.

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