Vail Colorado... The Best in Skiing and the Great Rocky Mountains

Although Vail Colorado is better known for its winter activities, and as the Vail ski resort, summertime fun is not far behind.

When the snow melts off most parts of the mountain, it exposes a rugged and verdant landscape perfect for numerous outdoor activities. Here we talk about the more popular winter and summer activities

Winter Activities Ice skating – Numerous bodies of water freeze up because of the low temperature, providing a rock-hard frictionless and even surface where people can glide effortlessly using their ice skate shoes in Vail Colorado. The place is dotted with ice rinks, arenas, and lakes where you can either bring your own pair of skate shoes or rent one.

Skiing – Due to its vast land area, the Vail Mountain is able to provide skiers with fresh tracks to use. In fact, because of this, this is the sport that the mountain is most known for. There are lots of instructors and easy terrains for beginners and intermediates. For the experts, there’s Back Bowls that can provide you with black and blue trails where you can perform your death-defying tricks.

Tubing – This is one activity that the whole family can enjoy. Some resorts have slopes that are bordered with barriers to guide the tube on a predictable, and relatively safer, downhill path. Others also provide motorized towlines to pull tubes and their riders up the slope.

Non-Winter Activities Hiking – Similar to what it offers for skiers, the enormous mountain gives hikers a lot of ground to explore. Pass through alpine meadows, wooded trails, and other scenic spots as you scour the mountainside on your way to the top.

Mountain biking – Being the site of two Mountain Bike World Championships, the mountain offers varying terrains for both those who want a leisurely ride with the family and those who are seeking downhill slopes that provide an exhilarating adrenaline rush.

River trips – Kayaking is given a new dimension when one takes a guided river trip on Colorado River. Your guide can take you through geological sites while pointing out dinosaur tracks and old stagecoach trails. As with other activities, kayaking can either be a relaxing educational trip or an adventurous outing. More daring visitors usually opt for Eagle River and its rushing rapids.

Fly Fishing – Here’s one activity that can be done both during winter and summer. Whether its in Colorado River, Eagle River, or Gore Creek, you’re sure to have a memorable experience in any of these waters. Also, float trips can take you to the best spots these rivers can offer. These are only a few of the many activities that this premier vacation resort can offer. In fact, not many places in the world can provide year round excitement for anyone who loves the outdoors in the same scale as Vail.

Where to Grab a Bite When You Get Off the Gondola in Vail.

It's at Lionshead in Vail Colorado where you hop into and get off the Eagle Bahn Gondola and is understandably a busy area during peak season. This is why a lot of investors have scrambled for a spot within walking distances from it.

Nothing beats cool glasses of refreshments and delectable cuisine after a day on the slopes as soon as you hit town. Here we mention some of the recommended restaurants where you can grab a bite immediately after you get off the Gondola.

Mezzaluna Restaurant: If you’re that hungry then here’s a place where you can dig into chow immediately after you hit the ground. Mezzaluna Restaurant is just some 150 ft away. In case you didn’t notice it from the name, they specialize in Italian cuisine. So, if you love pizza and beer, you’ll love this place.

Billy’s Island Grill: 200 ft down the road at West Lionshead Circle is Billy’s Island Grill. They are highly recommended for their seafood, pasta and chicken specialties and pride themselves of their great salad bar. They also have a sunny deck that’s ideal for relaxing and enjoying the view during summer while sipping a Mango Margarita, Billy’s Goat drink or downing ice cold beer.

Moe’s Original BBQ: Here’s another restaurant at West Lionshead Circle. Moe’s Original BBQ’s specialty is, you guessed it right … BBQ! That’s Alabama style BBQ in particular. So when you want to have a taste of Southern flair, fresh from the pit, head down the same direction as Billy’s Island Grill.

Montauk Seafood Grill: Had enough of those restaurants on the West side? Here’s one from East Lionshead Circle. They serve dinner nightly from 5 – 10 PM. Constantly on the menu are mouth watering seafood dishes and a wide selection in their grill list that includes Hawaiian Swordfish, Alaskan King Salmon, Idaho Ruby Trout, and New England Dayboat Sea Scallops.

Bart & Yeti’s: Since you’ve reached this part of town, here’s another restaurant at East Lionshead Circle that’s been serving guests since the good ‘ole days in Vail. Ask the locals, and they’ll be quick to recommend this little bar and restaurant that’s been so much a part of Vail’s history. Red Chile, Bart Burger, Black Bean Bart, and St Louis Style Ribs are among their specialties.

If you’re wondering who’s the Bart who’s always mentioned here, you’d be surprised that he was actually a dog. But he was no ordinary dog. You better check the place out if you want to know how famous this dog really was. Along the way, you’re bound to come across other restaurants as well. You might want to give them a try as well. In Vail, you’d rarely go wrong when it comes to trying out new spots.