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Even before the last flake of champagne powder has melted, the Vail Valley blossoms into Spring, revealing fairways and well manicured Greens and dramatic mountain scenery ranging from dry and dusty to verdant green and peaks.
Hiking and Back-Packing
The opportunities for trail walking or back country hikes are almost endless. From easy walks on marked trails in the Vail Valley, to walks up to the mountain ski areas or back packing into the Wilderness. A great low stress fun day is to ride the summer Gondola or chair lift to the top of Vail or Beaver Creek mountain, have lunch and then take one of the marked trails back to Vail or Beaver creek village.
Mountain Biking - Vail is the World Centre of Excellence for mountain biking. The ski lifts have 'Bike Horns' and operate all summer allowing the less dedicated biker to hook on there bike and effortlessly access to the mountain tops and back trails. The whole of the Vail Valley bottom is joined by Bike trails so you can choose from easy village to village cycling or take the international mountain bike competition trails - your choice.
White Water Rafting -You will find some of the best white water in the world suitable for both beginners and experts.
Tennis - an abundance of courts
Hot Air Ballooning - from just outside Avon
Sailing - Canoes on Nottingham Lake. Or Lake Dillon - sail boats, 40 min. drive. Or Piney River Ranch for canoeing - about 20 minutes drive. Lake Powell, 6 hour drive. Lake Powell is 186 miles long with over 2000 miles of coast line. You can rent a house boat which sleeps 4 to 12.
Fishing/Hunting - the Colorado or Eagle River just a few minutes walk away. licences are available for hunting Deer, Elk etc.
Riding - Local stables will arrange a quiet half or full days excursion on horse back, up through the scenic mountain trails. For those wanting a more adventurous experience, there are rides into the Wilderness or you can join a round up with overnight camping.
The Performing Arts
The area has become a key location for music and dance in the Rockies with over 30 concerts each summer, featuring internationally acclaimed orchestras and soloists at superb locations, and old and new Rock groups. - many in the open air at venues such as the Ford Amphitheatre.
Places of Historic Interest
As you might expect, being in the Wild West, there are many, many areas of historic note. A half-hour's drive away is Leadville, where you can see relics of the Gold and Silver mining era, period stores and hotels from the days of the Gold Rush. Buffalo Bills grave is up on Lookout Mountain, which is well sign-posted from I-70 about half way to Denver.
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