A Perfect Winter Day in the Vail Valley

Prepare yourself for a snowy wonderland when planning your trip to Vail, Beaver Creek, and the rest of the Vail Valley during the winter. Getting out to experience all the great things the Vail Valley has to offer during the winter can take a bit of time to plan out, but here are some of our favorites and ideas to get you started. Don’t forget your warm jacket, gloves, snow boots, stockings, winter cap… and your camera!

Morning

Just because you’re on vacation, doesn’t mean you can’t (or shouldn’t) get an early start to your day. Most areas and activities tend to get busier as the day goes on, and nothing beats the feel of the fresh mountain air crisp in your lungs when you head out for “first tracks”. Reward yourself for resisting the snooze button by heading into the Vail Village and grabbing a freshly brewed cuppa joe from Loaded Joe’s or Yeti’s Grind. Both have locations throughout the valley so whatever resort you decide to hit up for the day, there’s no reason to forego your daily pick-me-up and breakfast.

Jump on the Mountain
Now that your belly is full and your eyes are wide-open, time to hop on the lift and earn your turns! If you aren’t sure of the best runs to take, we’ve got you covered. Vail has a great array of terrain for skiers and riders of all abilities, and the Back Bowls can’t be beat. To get your ski legs primed up, consider taking a quick jaunt down Born Free. This is a long, green-to-blue lap that starts at Eagle’s Nest and brings you right back down to the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Looking to head out to the fields? Poppyfields is an excellent choice as it is the only groomed run out back. When you’ve completed the descent, catwalk over to the one-and-only Blue Sky Basin famous for its impeccable views. If you happen to be a bit more daring, Riva Ridge is one of Vail’s original trails and clocks in at 4 miles long. This steep lap alternates between blue and black pitches, but watch out for the “Tourist Trap” as this is the run’s steepest section!

Want more ski run recommendations in Vail and Beaver Creek? Our team put together a list of their favorites.

Afternoon & Après

Be sure to beat the 3PM après crowd, and hit up Wyld in Beaver Creek for a delicious bite and winter warm-up cocktail. Or stop for après at Blue Moose Pizza (Beaver Creek & Vail), Dusty Boot (Beaver Creek), Vendetta’s (Vail) or Vail & Beaver Creek Chophouse. Whether you want a slice of heaven, filling yet scrumptious burger or a hot toddy to warm you up, the delicious array to satisfy your hunger needs are just steps away from the ski mountains in both Beaver Creek and Vail.

After you rest and refuel, rent a pair of skates and show off your ice skating moves in the heart of Beaver Creek. Surrounding the rink are fire pits and plush couches where you can watch the little ones speed around while you warm up. It’s not too late to get your annual Christmas photo; the Beaver Creek Ice Rink offers a picturesque backdrop for a one-of-a-kind photo op! The ice rink is open daily from 12PM to 9PM and admission with rental skates is $15 for skaters 13 years and older.

Every year, Beaver Creek celebrates opening day with their Annual Beaver Creek Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition, where the winning recipe can be tasted every day. Cookie Time happens daily at 3:00 PM and allows you to enjoy fresh-baked cookies at the base of the Centennial Express Chairlift, and the second level of the plaza escalators. Make sure you’re on time as the cookies run out fast!

Don’t Ski or Snowboard?

Don’t fret. There are plenty of winter activities for those who don’t want to ski or snowboard. Enjoy a guided snowshoe tour from Walking Mountains Science Center, or check out all that Vail Nordic Center has to offer, including cross-country skiing and 13K of fat bike trails and fat bike rentals! Other cross-country centers, like Vail Golf Course and Eagle Ranch Golf Course, allow fat biking as well, and trails like Haymaker in Eagle are open to bikes year-round.

Sleigh Ride & Dinner

Crisp mountain air, star-lit skies, and a horse-drawn sleigh all await you at 4 Eagle Ranch and Bearcat Stables. This one-of-a-kind experience will leave you with warm and cozy memories for years to come!