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7 Must-Try Winter Activities in Vail, Colorado

Natalie profile picture Natalie•Aug 9, 2024

Winter in Colorado is nothing short of magical. If you are planning a trip to Wander Vail Valley, here are our top 7 suggestions for skiing, snowboarding, and winter activities in Vail, Colorado.

Vail Ski Resort 

Photo courtesy of Vail Ski Resort 

  • Distance from Wander Vail Valley: 2 miles

  • Location: 2284 S Frontage Rd W, Vail, CO 81657

  • Hours: 9AM-5PM daily (winter season); Friday-Sunday (summer season)

  • Phone: (970) 754-8245

  • Website: https://www.vail.com/ 

Vail Ski Resort is a premier ski destination in the United States with over 5,300+ acres of skiable terrain and a summit of over 11,570 feet. Here you will find over 193 trails, 10 bowls, and 39 lifts to explore.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding passes, the resort also offers ski/snowboard lessons and cross-country skiing tours. One-day and multi-day lift passes, and unlimited access passes to resorts across the country are available for purchase online.

During the off-season, Vail Ski Resort offers scenic gondola rides, a mountain coaster, bike hauls, a bungee trampoline and more. 

Tip: If you sign up for email marketing from Vail, you will receive a $10 discount code off of your first rental purchase. During peak winter season, be sure to take advantage of the complimentary mountain tours from one of Vail's knowledgeable "mountain hosts" as your guide.

Beaver Creek Resort

Photo courtesy of Beaver Creek Resort

  • Distance from Wander Vail: 10 miles 

  • Location: 210 Beaver Creek Plaza, Beaver Creek, CO 81620

  • Hours: 9:30AM-4:30PM (during winter season)

  • Phone: (970) 754-4636

  • Website: https://www.beavercreek.com/ 

Just down the road from Wander Vail Valley, you also have Beaver Creek Ski resort, which offers visitors 1,815 skiable acres, and a summit elevation of 11,440 feet. Skiers and riders have access to 149 different trails serviced by 26 lifts. The mountain has an average snowfall of 310 inches.

There is no shortage of fun during the summer season too since Beaver Creek also offers golf, hiking, and mountain biking.

Buzz's Backcountry Adventures

Photo by Buzz's Backcountry Adventures

Buzz's Backcountry Adventures offers snowmobile rentals in Vail. Drivers must be at least 16 years old to operate a snowmobile. Helmets are included with the rental. Just take note that advance reservations are required.

Tip: You will need a vehicle that can tow a trailer from the Eagle-Vail location to your riding destination. Riders must provide their own snow gear for snowmobiling to include snow pants, jackets, gloves, goggles, etc.

Vail Backcountry Tours

Photo courtesy of Vail Backcountry Tours

  • Distance from Wander Vail Valley: 2 miles

  • Location: 763 Red Sandstone Rd, Vail, CO 81657

  • Hours: 8AM-6PM daily

  • Phone: (970) 476-7749

  • Website: https://vailbackcountrytours.com/ 

Vail Backcountry Tours offers 2-hour, half-day, and private snowmobile tours. Each tour includes transportation, boots, suits, helmets, and a professional Vail Backcountry guide.

Tours end with a hot beverage and snack at a private yurt in the White River National Forest. Advanced reservations are required.

Alderhof Ice Rink

Photo courtesy of Jack Affleck/Vail Resorts

  • Distance from Wander Vail Valley: 2 miles

  • Location: 675 Lionshead Pl, Vail, CO 81657

  • Hours:  2PM-9PM (During winter season)

The Alderhof Ice Rink is located in the heart of Vail village, surrounded by beautiful Bavarian-style architecture and nearby several restaurants and bars. The rink is typically open late-November through early-April. Skate rentals are available. 

Tip: Public indoor ice skating, ice hockey, and private lessons are also available at John A. Dobson Ice Arena, which is about a mile away.

Walking Mountains Science Center

Photo courtesy of Walking Mountains Science Center

  • Distance from Wander Vail Valley: 8 miles

  • Location: 318 Walking Mountains Ln, Avon, CO 81620

  • Hours: 9AM-4PM daily

  • Phone: (970) 827-9725

  • Website: https://www.walkingmountains.org/ 

It’s not often that you hear about free activities, so we definitely recommend that you take advantage of the complementary activities offered at the Walking Mountain Scenic Center.

During the winter months, the center offers free guided snowshoe hikes that teach you about ecology and animal adaptations as you admire Colorado’s beautiful winter scenery. On the other hand, you can enjoy the center’s free nature walks, hikes, and bird tours during the summer months.

Tip: Be sure to wear warm clothing, a hat, and gloves in the winter. Bring sunscreen and a hat during the summer months.

Frisco Adventure Park

Photo courtesy of Frisco Adventure Park

If you are looking for some snow adventures, Frisco Adventure Park offers several lanes of snow tubing and each one has a different experience – some are mellower, while others are steeper with more rolling terrain. The hill is accessed by a surface lift, making it a great activity for the whole family. 

During the summer months, the park will keep you entertained with bike paths, disk golf, a skate park, camping, and chuck wagon rides.

Rest assured you won't run out of things to do near your Wander Vail Valley home! In case you didn't find what you were looking for in this list, contact our concierge desk for more recommendations!

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