The most effective way to prevent mishaps is to adequately prepare. Knowledge of the area, weather, terrain, limitations of your body, plus a little common sense can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable time in the mountains. Watch our Respect the Adventure video for a quick recap of best practices.

• Be weather wise. Before you leave, find out the weather report. In this area, weather can change very quickly so know the signs for approaching storms or changing weather conditions. Avoid bare ridge tops, exposed places, lone trees, streams, and rocks during lightning storms.
• Wear sunscreen – and appropriate clothing and shoes. Colorado gets over 300 days of sun so sunscreen is a must during your travels. Wear socks and proper footwear when recreating in mountain terrain. Avoid wearing cotton and instead wear quick dry clothing to avoid hypothermia if get you caught in a storm.
• Stay hydrated and bring extra water with you as you hike or bike in the mountains.
• Practice the Leave No Trace principles set forth by Colorado. Remember to pack out your trash, avoid overcrowded hiking trails and biking trails, and please avoid causing wildfires with open flames and smoking.
• Travel with a companion. Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member and check in with them upon your return.

Higher altitudes can be stressful for the body. When you go to higher altitudes, the barometric pressure drops and there is less oxygen available. Take a few precautions to feel your best while you’re here:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Watch for symptoms: nausea or vomiting, dizziness or light-headedness, shortness of breath upon exertion, insomnia and persistent rapid pulse rate.
3. Take it easy – even if you are fit, you can still feel the effects if you push yourself too hard too quickly. Resting is often the most effective remedy for altitude sickness.
4. Seek medical attention if you observe any life-threatening symptoms.

Whether you are a hiker, mountain biker, or equestrian user understanding a few, simple guidelines about using and sharing the trails makes the experience even better. Watch our Respect the Trail video.

• Stay on Trail & Follow Signs — Stay on the designated trails and follow posted signs. Going off trail can damage or kill certain plant or animal species, and can hurt the ecosystems that surround the trail.
• Obey Trail Closure Signs — Many of our local trails remain closed during certain seasons to protect critical winter habitat and migratory & feeding routes. Violation of seasonal trail closures can keep wildlife from precious resources and resting spaces.
• Follow Right of Way Rules — Bikers yield to hikers, everyone yields to horses & wheelchairs. Downhill users yield to uphill users.
• Bring Your Trash Out With You — Any user of recreation lands has a responsibility to clean up before he or she leaves. Pack out all trash and garbage and dispose of it when you can.
• Be Respectful Hiking with a Dog — Determine if the trail you are planning to hike allows dogs, and if so, keep your dog on the trail with you (and follow the leash law if applicable). Be sure to pick up and pack out the doggy doo too.
• Do Not Disturb Wildlife — They need their space, and you need yours, too. Keep your distance from the wildlife you encounter to avoid stressing the animal. Human disturbances can exacerbate loss of body weight, reduce reproductive success, and decrease survivability of the fawns and calves. Watch our Respect the Wild video to learn how to protect our mountain ecosystem.

• Please only access our rivers and lakes at designated access points to protect the ecosystems that surround the waterways.
• Wear a life jacket at all times. Even strong swimmers have needed to to be rescued because they were overcome by the water. Wearing a life jacket can save your life and help bring everyone home after a fun day in the water.
• When you come off the water, wipe down your gear and check your gear for invasive species.

• Be careful with fire! Click here to see the current fire restrictions in place.
• Avoid open flames and do not smoke outside during a fire ban.
• Never cut trees for your firewood.
• Build campfires in a safe area, and never leave a fire unattended. Put your fire out with water until it’s cool to the touch. Embers buried deep within the pile have a tendency to reignite later.

Here are some tips for you to reduce your carbon footprint while visiting the Vail Valley.

• Use a reusable water bottle. You definitely want to stay hydrated during your stay, but avoid single-use plastics when you can. Plus, we have some of the freshest tap water around so buy a souvenir water bottles and drink our fresh mountain water!
• Take the bus, walk or bike around town. Our in-town transportation systems are designed for you to leave the car where you parked it, and less cars on the road means cleaner air, less traffic and better views. Better yet, leave the car at home. View shuttle and bus information here.
• Recycle! There are recycling bins everywhere so please use them. Click here for the Eagle County Waste Wizard which helps you properly dispose of waste and recycling.
• At your hotel, choose to not have your linens and towels washed every day. You don’t wash your towels and linens at home daily, do you?
• Lights out. When you leave your hotel room or accommodations, don’t forget to turn out the lights. You wouldn’t believe what a difference this can make.

Driving during severe winter weather conditions can be demanding. How you handle your vehicle in those conditions could be the difference between a safe trip and serious trouble. The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it. If you must go, scan COTrip.org for travel warnings and pass-closure alerts before hitting the road. Be sure your car has winter-appropriate tires or compliant traction equipment. And, if you’re renting a vehicle, it’s best to reserve one with AWD or 4WD before heading up into the mountains. Click here for Colorado Department of Transportation’s Tips for Driving in the Winter.

Driving Safely on Icy Roads

• Equip your car with proper winter tires and turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
• Don’t use cruise control in bad weather.
• Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
• Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
• Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
• Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first.
• Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

Winter backcountry recreation can be tremendously rewarding, but it’s not without risk. No matter your chosen activity — hut trips, snowmobiling, split boarding, ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and more — if you plan to head off the beaten path, please do so responsibly. It’s your duty to be prepared. Always check for area closures and check the weather forecast. Tell someone where you’re headed and when you plan to be back home. Watch our Respect the Backcountry video.

Because avalanches can happen in any season, it’s a good idea to brush up on your avalanche education, especially if you’re new to the backcountry. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) Resources Page is a great place to start. According to Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s director Dr. Ethan Greene, “On average, six people die in Colorado in avalanches each year. It is more than any other natural hazard that’s weather related. More people die in avalanches in Colorado — on average and in total — than any other state.” Survival, if you’re buried in an avalanche, is about 45 percent.

Should you need help, Colorado’s volunteer backcountry search-and-rescue teams are available 24/7 for all who need them and they can be activated through a 911 call or a satellite-messaging device. Learn more about backcountry safety here.

• Respect the Vail Valley
• Seasonal Trail Closures
• Trail Conditions
• Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles
• Eagle County Waste Wizard
• Eagle County Fire Restrictions
• Colorado Avalanche Information Center
• Do Colorado Right
• Leave No Trace Website