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Vail & Beaver Creek - Winter sun & activities
With over 300 sunny days a year - about the same as Malaga Spain, it's not surprising to see people in shorts in the village or skiing powder on the mountain!
The four Vail valley villages - Vail, Lions head, Avon, Beaver Creek and Edwards, offer a tremendous range of both outdoor and indoor activities and events. Vail village is quite different to its neighbours - the architecture here is distinctly Tyrolean and if you cover your ears you might well think that you are somewhere in the Alps. This is definitely a resort area which can be enjoyed by non-skiers as well, with a wealth of shops, boutiques, art galleries and spa treatments available. Everyone speaks English and without exception very friendly… How are you doing?
Of course the Vail valley has a significant all year round population served by 3 cinema complexes, Theatre, bars clubs and 100's of Restaurants and stores. The Vilar center located in the heart of Village Plaza at Beaver Creek for example, hosts an all-star line up of stirring performances - family shows, comedies, Broadway musicals, and more!
Need serious retail therapy - a day trip to the Outlet stores of Silverthorne. Need to relax then what about the outdoor hot springs pool, and spa at Glenwood springs - made famous by Doc Holiday and more recently by Michael Palin's BBC world tour series. If your friends and family are skiing in other local resorts such as Aspen and Breckenridge - plan to go with them and you will have an amazing time exploring the towns and you can always meet them on the mountain!
Ice Skating
Indoor - Dobson Arena Vail Learn how to ice skate, play hockey or enjoy a live concert in the largest arena in the valley. Dobson Arena is open all year long providing plenty of entertainment for all ages.
Beaver Creek Ice Rink - Out door Village center Ice rink
Avon - Nottingham Lake outdoor
Sleigh Ride & Tours
'Eagle Ranch' - Sleigh ride dinners & horseback rides. Bearcat Stables - Guided winter horseback rides.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides at 'Timber Hearth Grille' - Rocky mountain scenery and world renowned cuisine
'The Seasons at the Green' - Sleigh rides and dinner just 1.5 miles from Vail Village.
Dine at Beano's Cabin, an award winning restaurant and Enjoy a Sleigh ride up the mountain pulled by snowcat, followed by an elegant dinner in a cabin tucked high atop Beaver Creek mountain. Reservations required, call (970) 949-9090 (yes even before you start your holiday)
Dine at Zach's Cabin, with spectacular views of Bachelor Gulch - Delectable dining in Bachelor Gulch offering breathtaking views from a quaint mountain-top cabin. Take in an evening under the stars in a sleigh pulled by Belgian draft horses
Snowmobile Tours
Best to pre book. Nova Guides Snowmobile rentals, 1 hour, 2 hour, half-day and full-day snowmobiling tours. 888-949-NOVA
Non-skiing backcountry snow cat tours in White River National Forest.
info@novaguides.com
Snow shoeing - Fit, but don't ski?
Why not snow shoe up the mountain to meet your friends and family for lunch? Base Mountain Sports Snowshoe Rentals
VRD Vail Nature Center. There is plenty of winter fun to be had at the Vail Nature Center. Enjoy snowshoe tours, cross country skiing and winter photography classes. 970-479-2264
Wildlife Viewing
Trail Wise Guides Wildlife is also more viewable in the winter, as they are forced out of the high mountains by deep snow. 800-261-5364 VRD Vail Nature CenterThere is plenty of winter fun to be had at the Vail Nature Center. Enjoy snowshoe tours, cross country skiing and winter photography classes. A true mountain adventure awaits you at the Vail Nature Center. 970-479-2264Snowshoe
Beaver Creek puts you on top of the mountain with a dedicated snowshoe and cross-country ski area, McCoy Park:
* More than 32 kilometres of beginner, intermediate and advanced tracked and rustic trails.
* Accessed by the Strawberry Park Express lift (#12), which you can ride up and down with their snowshoes, 8:30am-3:30pm every day.
Dog sledding Glide across the snow with our unique dogsled tours:
* Available mornings and afternoons in the Cordillera area west of Beaver Creek
* Two people per sled can ride
* The tour lasts approximately two hours, covering about seven miles
Hot Air Ballooning - Soar into the skies and enjoy the pristine vistas. Tours include: Colorado
Ski Museum
The 130-year-old story of skiing is vividly portrayed here, including exhibits of the World War II 10th Mountain Division ski troops and the evolution of ski equipment.
Admission $1. Open Tuesday- Sunday, 10am-5pm (970)476-1876.
Health/Fitness
Be sure to take advantage of one of the many facilities in the Vail Valley including the Avon Recreation Center and Vail Cascade's Aiera Club & Spa. (970)748-4060
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