Summer in Vail

May 2023
Warm weather, hiking, biking, mountain top views, swimming pools, tasty food, music festivals, zip lines, mountain roller coasters and world-class shopping...all the things that can make a summer vacation truly special.  Not only do the multitude of outdoor summer activities stand-out but the "other" things make the place memorable.  Let me set the stage. 

 

Vail is linked by four wonderful villages or base areas that offers different things for different folks. Each village is filled with a broad selection of restaurants, shopping and après ski hot spots. If you have never taken the time to research what "après ski" means, it is simply "what you are doing when you're not skiing". That is, it. That could mean drinking beer, dancing, sitting in a hot tub, fishing, hiking, or anything like that.

First, Vail Village. This is where you will find the most happening, the most restaurants, the most bars and the most shopping. It is the place to be seen. It is also on the path to Gondola ONE, which is the gondola to Vail Mountain. Lodging in Vail Village can be expensive, especially as you get closer to the ski lifts. As you get further away from the mountain, prices go down. Stay in Vail Village if you want all the action and can withstand some noise.

 


Second, Lionshead Village. From Vail Village, this base area is due west. Do not worry about getting there because the town of Vail operates a complimentary transportation shuttle that runs all day to these villages and well into the night. This allows you (and your pet) to get from bar to bar without the hassle of driving a car around. If you are not familiar or comfortable with driving in the snow, this is a huge benefit. Fun fact: the streets are heated! The village is home to The Eagle Bahn Gondola, The Ritz-Carlton and the world-renowned Garfinkel's and Tavern on the Square restaurants. I like staying at The Landmark, The Antlers, or Lion Square Condominiums. These are a short walk to the gondola and surrounded by shops and restaurants.


Third, Cascade Village.  This is where the Hyatt hotel offers ski/in ski/out skiing in the winter and a wonderful outdoor heated swimming pool that overlooks the Gore River.  The scenery here is enough to make the visit worth it. I like "Cascade" because it's easy to jump on the bike trail that follows the river all the way to Beaver Creek.  This is a quiet location without many restaurants or shopping but it's serenity at its best.  Choose from Hyatt hotel rooms or a vacation home in the area.  Feel right at home inside these alluring residences with various bed-type configurations, open entertainment space, full gourmet kitchen, a dining area, and picturesque mountain views.

Lastly, Golden Peak. Vail’s smallest base area is its quickest jumping off point to the powdery oasis of Blue-Sky Basin. Vail Mountain’s fourth base area is so overlooked, it almost has a mom-and-pop ski resort vibe. Lacking the crowds of Lionshead and Vail Village, Golden Peak is home to Vail Mountain’s ski school and serves as the home of a swank new clubhouse that is being built for the athletes of Ski & Snowboard Club Vail (alums include Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin). For lodging, you will be happy to stay at an area icon - Manor Vail Lodge. The customer service and hospitality, not to mention the hot tub scene, does not get much better than this in Vail. Manor Vail Lodge is one of Vail's original and iconic hotels. This Golden Peak gem delivers a peaceful yet convenient location to the slopes and offers a variety of accommodations to meet every traveler’s needs. With studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums plus luxury penthouses, Manor Vail Lodge has the perfect summer vibe. Not to mention, it has the closest accommodations to the Betty Ford Gardens and Ford amphitheater where concerts abound every week of the summer.

It is no secret that Vail is truly a magical place even in the summer. It is a favorite destination of many people around the world. That's why they keep coming back. I strongly recommend you travel here and try some of the exciting activities it has to offer. Even without the activities, the scenery is enough to make the visit worthwhile! Grab your best friend, save this post, and go to Vail in the summer (and winter, of course!) I promise, it will be one of the best decisions you have ever made!