Learn More about the Vail Valley

The Town of Vail is comprised of several neighborhoods including Vail Village, Lionshead Village, East Vail and West Vail. The heart of town lies within its villages at the base of the mountain, a Tyrolean inspired blend of American and European cultures. Beaver Creek’s village-to-village experience unites three on-mountain neighborhoods: Arrowhead, Bachelor Gulch and Beaver Creek Village. Further down the Vail Valley are vibrant communities: Edwards, Eagle-Vail, Avon, Eagle, Gypsum, Minturn, Cordillera, and more. 

History

Vail was incorporated in 1962 after Pete Seibert, one of Vail’s founding fathers, returned to the valley with fellow army World War II 10th Mountain Division veterans Bill Brown and Bob Parker. In 1954 Earl Eaton, a uranium prospector, teamed up with Seibert to draw up plans for a ski resort within the White River National Forest in the same place these troopers trained for backcountry survival.

Construction began in the spring of 1962 and opened with the United States’ first ski gondola and six square miles of terrain. By the mid-1970s, elite skiers discovered Vail, and President Gerald Ford’s homeownership and time spent in Vail helped propel the ski town’s growth in popularity.

Vail Today

The growth and richness of Vail as a premier international mountain resort is echoed in the quality of real estate, recreation, events, culture, shopping and dining available in this beautiful valley. The cultural programming of the valley is abundant, with programs including the Vail International Dance Festival, Vail Jazz Festival, Bravo! Vail’s summer programming of world-class symphonic music, and the 535-seat, year-round Vilar Performing Arts Center bringing concerts, family entertainment, comedy, and more.

Vail Resorts manages both Vail and Beaver Creek mountains. Vail boasts over 100 restaurants with top international chefs showing off their culinary skills. The après’ ski and nightlife, and hundreds of world-class shops from boutiques to ski shops mean there is always something to do. Art aficionados can take in dozens of galleries, art auctions, and art installations around town.

Winter

Vail’s award-winning ski resort ranks as the best ski resort for families and earns five stars on Trip Advisor. Vail mountain is the place to be with your friends and family for an amazing snow-capped alpine experience. Vail offers 5,289 acres of skiable terrain, and 193 trails served by 31 lifts. Vail’s sister resort Beaver Creek adds another 1,832 acres and 150 trails of fun.

The expertly groomed trails at Blue Sky Basin, Vail, and Beaver Creek mountains offer a little something for everyone. Whether you’re simply taking in the gorgeous scenery, or elevating your snow sport experiences with world-class, on-mountain guides and instructors, there’s much fun to be had on the slopes.

• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Ski biking
• Snowshoeing
• Ice skating
• Sleigh ride dinners
• Tubing

You can even get caught up in the occasional snowball fight! There’s a chance for adventure around every snowy corner. Although we believe that Vail is more than a worthy place to live all year long, the snowy winter months are why the town and resort of Vail are world renown. For you, the perfect day in Vail might be spent entirely on the slopes. Maybe it just means sitting by a roaring fire, making s’mores and sipping hot toddies. Regardless, you’ll find so many ways to stay cozy and embrace the lovely winters the Rocky Mountains have to give.

Summer

Vail boasts endless choices of sporting events, cultural performances, and summer and fall activities including forest hiking, horseback riding, hot-air balloon rides, fly fishing in pristine waters, over 2,221 mountain and road bike trails, and six high altitude golf courses with awe-inspiring views of the Gore Range. The hundreds of hiking trails include casual strolls to epic day hikes up to 14,000+ foot peaks like Mount of the Holy Cross. And dogs are allowed on all the trails in the Vail Valley, so bring your furry friends!

Vail has an abundant amount of water going activities that are bound to get your adrenaline pumping or allow you to just find relaxation on the open water. The possibilities for adventure are nearly endless, including:

• White water rafting
• Kayaking
• Canoeing
• Stand Up Paddleboarding

All these activities are readily available on Nottingham Lake, Gore Creek, Eagle River, and the Colorado River. All lakes, creeks, and rivers are easily accessible by foot, car, bike, or the free town shuttle.

If you’re looking for something new and exciting to do upon the Vail mountain, we suggest you meander through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, more lovingly known as a World of Alpines at 8,200 feet, along the sparkling Gore Creek. As the world’s highest botanical garden, you won’t just be experiencing natural beauty at its finest, but making memories in a one-of-a-kind place.

Vail is a captivating little town that provides the feeling of “coming home” the moment you arrive. Between the gorgeous scenery, the idyllic town, and the non-stop chance for fun, it’s no wonder why people come for a holiday visit and end up calling Vail their forever home.