Vail

The skiing in Vail may be legendary, but the excitement and fun in Vail run deeper than the powder. Given that Vail is the tops, it follows that the alternative activities are all outstanding. You want it, Vail has it: tennis, swimming, dogsledding, hot air ballooning (very popular, somewhat chilly), indoor climbing, ice-climbing (very chilly, somewhat dangerous), sleigh rides (very chilly, very romantic), tubing, skating…you name it—and of course, shopping.

Adventure Ridge activity center
Adventure Ridge is Vail’s headquarters for non-skiing fun. This on-mountain activity center located at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola at Eagle’s Nest caters to kids of all ages. Have a go on the unique, multi-lane tubing hill with some lanes that are steep and fast, and others that are shorter and milder for tame tubers. Ski-biking is another option with nighttime tours from Adventure Ridge to the bottom of the gondola. Instructors provide an introduction to ski-biking techniques, before leading tour groups down the mountain.

Vail spas
For something way more relaxing there are more than a handful of day spas in Vail offering specialty services to reinvigorate and rejuvenate tired muscles and bodies after hours on the slopes. Not least in this category is the Aria Spa & Club at the Vail Cascade Resort, recently upgraded thanks to a US$4 million renovation and expansion to incorporate the creation of a grand luxury spa called Aria within the existing massive spa and club facility. The spa will include massage, plus body, facial, and hydrotherapy treatments.

Shopping in Vail
Back on the streets, Vail offers more than 145 stores and boutiques, nearly 50 art galleries and museums including the Colorado Ski Museum (check out the old skis and other artifacts), casual apparel, gift and home furnishing boutiques, ski and snowboard stores, a wine shop and florist, and handcrafted jewelry. Finally, why not feast your eyes on flowers as they break through the snow at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the highest public garden in the United States. For those into self-catering there are a dozen liquor and grocery stores. Just remember that Vail is big; it doesn’t do things by half, and with 1.5 million visitors flowing through a town seven miles long by two miles wide (11 km x 3 km) you’d expect non-skiing activities to be varied and attractive.