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Headed to Vail and looking for all the best things to do in winter? Whether you’re looking to hit the slopes or check out some off-mountain activities, I’ve got you covered with this guide to visiting Vail in the winter time.
Located in the Colorado Rockies, Vail is a charming ski resort town at the base of Vail Mountain with some of Colorado’s best skiing. Stepping foot in Vail’s villages feels a bit more like Europe than Colorado though! With its European inspired architecture, you’ll be transported straight to Switzerland or Germany… And it’s got the world-class shopping, lodging and dining options to match.
Here’s my guide to visiting Vail in the winter!
When to Visit Vail
Vail in the summer is perfect for exploring the green mountain trails and picturesque vistas — if you’re looking to do hiking, biking or fishing, then the summer is definitely your best bet.
And while Vail is gorgeous year-round, the winter time provides some of the best activities!
Ski season in Vail is typically late November through mid-April with holiday weekends getting especially busy. During the week of Christmas through New Years and holiday weekends, Vail can get quite crowded with hotel prices higher than normal.
How to Get to Vail
There are a couple of options for getting to Vail making it a pretty easy ski town to access!
The Vail/Eagle County Regional Airport is just a 40-minute drive from Vail and offers nonstop flights from 14 major markets in the winter time.
I’ve flown in and out of Vail/Eagle County Regional Airport several times and had a wonderful experience each time. The airport features a newly renovated terminal with a mountain chic aesthetic… so you can fly in style!
From there, you can either rent a car to drive to Vail to use one of the local shuttle services.
Another option is to fly into Denver International Airport and rent a car for the 2-hour drive to Vail or use a shuttle service. Shuttle services from Denver to the mountain towns are quite popular so you’ll find there are plenty of options if driving isn’t your thing!
How Long to Stay in Vail
With so many winter activities, you could stay for a week or two and not get bored of Vail and the surrounding areas! That being said, I usually opt to visit for a long weekend (3 – 4 days) so that there’s a few days for skiing as well as some off-mountain activities.
If it’s your first time to Vail, I’d recommend checking it out for a long weekend to see if you like the vibe and mountain (spoiler: I bet you will!)
How to Get Around Vail
When visiting Vail in the winter, I typically rent a car so that it’s easy to get to and from the airport and I have the option to go explore beyond Vail village if I like!
But if you’re just looking to enjoy Vail village and the mountain then you probably won’t need to rent a car. There are shuttle options to and from the airport as well as around the village.
There are complimentary shuttle buses that run frequently around both Vail and Lionshead village. Plus, both villages are quite walkable and getting between the two only takes about 15 to 20 minutes!
If you do have a car, Vail and Lionshead villages both offer plenty of parking options. Parking on the frontage road is a great and free option that requires a bit of walking, or if you prefer to be closer to the villages, there are several paid parking lot options. Generally, the first two hours are free and any time after 3pm is free as well!
Things to do in Vail during the Winter
The Vail valley has so many incredible activities to offer during the winter! From world-class skiing to dog sledding, ice skating and sleigh rides, there are plenty of snow-filled activities for everyone in your group.
Skiing / snowboarding: Vail is first and foremost a ski town! Take advantage of some of the best skiing in the US and hit the slopes at Vail Mountain Resort. For the biggest savings, make sure to buy your lift ticket in advance (the earlier, the better!).
Snowmobile tours: Did you know you can have a guided snowmobile adventure just minutes from Vail village? The area offers tons of groomed trails for snowmobiling with gorgeous mountain vistas.
Sleigh ride: This magical experience is best enjoyed after a fresh snow blankets the valley! Then, take in the incredible views from your cozy sleigh ride on the way to a delicious dinner at one of the mountain’s rustic cabins.
Dog sledding: Another incredible way to take in the sights is by dog sled! There are several dog sledding tour operators in the Vail area — and no matter which way you go, these pups are sure to steal your heart!
Snow shoeing: If you’re done with skiing but still want to get some exercise, snow shoeing is a great option! Rent some snowshoes and hit the trails at the Vail Nordic Center.
Ice skating: Lace up your skates and check out the rinks in both Vail and Lionshead villages! Vail Square ice skating rink is located in Lionshead Village and is open daily, November through April, for ice skating. The other rink is located in Vail Village at Solaris Plaza where you can also find shopping and dining options. Ice skate rentals are available on site!
Shopping: Stroll the heated cobblestone streets of Vail village and shop til you drop! From ski gear to art galleries and western wear and luxury shops, Vail has got you covered for all your shopping needs.
Ice Castles: About 30 minutes from Vail, the Ice Castle experience is located in Dillon, Colorado. Each year, beautiful castle-like ice sculptures are hand carved by artists and can be seen either during the day or at night for the light show. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance and live our your Frozen dreams at the Ice Castles… and, trust me, it’s fun for both adults and kids!
Beaver Creek: Just 20 minutes away is the charming town of Beaver Creek! Similar to Vail, Beaver Creek offers a charming village with shops, restaurants, an ice skating rink and excellent skiing!
Where to Dine
Vail has visitors hailing from as close as Denver and as far as South America and Europe… and it’s got a dining scene to match! From authentic German food to five star sushi and traditional tequila bars, there’s something for everyone in Vail.
Alpenrose & Almresi: These German-Austrian restaurants fit right in with Vail’s European vibes! The aesthetic is charming and the food is delicious and authentic… these restaurants have become my favorite in Vail! Alpenrose and Almresi are separate restaurants with the same owners and similar German-Austrian menus. Alpenrose is located near the Solaris Plaza, and Almresi is conveniently located at the base of the mountain in Vail Village.
Matsuhisa: If you’re a sushi lover like me, you won’t want to miss dining at Matsuhisa! The Nobu Matsuhisa brand always delivers incredible quality and that’s no different in Vail. Expect signature dishes like Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño and Black Cod Miso, as well as nightly specials.
El Segundo: Located in Vail village, El Segundo describes itself as “a sophisticated semi-traditional taqueria & tequila bar.” Serving traditional classics and over a 100 tequilas and mezcals, this spot has a fun après ski vibe!
Mountain Standard: In the heart of Vail village, this rustic gastropub offers delicious wood-fired dishes that you won’t want to miss! It’s a high energy spot located right on the creek… how charming!
Sweet Basil: Brought to you by the same owners’ as Mountain Standard, Sweet Basil is a modern American concept with local dishes like braised Colorado lamb. It’s also conveniently located in Vail village!
Vintage: This charming French brasserie is located on the edge of Vail village but shouldn’t be missed! With French classics like onion soup, steak frites and coq au vin, it’s the perfect spot for lunch or dinner.
Where to Après Ski
If you’re visiting Vail in the winter, grabbing a few drinks for après ski is a must.
Bart and Yeti’s: Tucked away in Lionshead village, this rustic dive bar is a classic! With traditional pub grub like wings, ribs and burgers, as well as a friendly staff, you’ll feel right at home at Bart and Yeti’s.
Garfinkel’s: Located at the base of the mountain in Lionshead Village, Garfinkel’s is another classic après ski spot. This sports bar features a wraparound bar and large outdoor deck with mountain views.
The Red Lion: Located in the heart of Vail village, the Red Lion offers live entertainment, nightlife and classic American cuisine.
Remedy Bar at Four Seasons Vail: If you’re looking for a lively yet upscale après ski scene, look no further than the Remedy Bar at the Four Seasons Vail. With beautiful mountain views, large flat-screen TVs and an outdoor patio with fire pits, this luxurious spot is the perfect place for a post-ski cocktail.
Where to Stay in Vail
Vail is known for it’s luxurious lodging options but that doesn’t mean you can’t also find some excellent mid-range and budget options in the area!
Luxury:
The Arrabelle at Vail Square: We stayed here on our last trip to Vail and absolutely loved it! From the excellent location to the friendly staff and beautiful rooms, there are a million reasons to love this hotel… but my absolute favorite part is the rooftop featuring jacuzzis, a heated pool and 360 degree views of Lionshead village and Vail Mountain.
Four Seasons Resort Vail: Located on the edge of Vail village, the Four Seasons Resort Vail offers five star amenities in an excellent location. With mountain views, several dining options and a 5-star spa, you’ll have a hard time even leaving the hotel!
The Sebastian Vail: This luxury hotel offers ski-in/ski-out access to Vail Mountain Gondola One! It also has elegantly designed rooms, an outdoor pool open year-round and a highly-rated restaurant, Leonora.
Sonnenalp: This ski resort is just a 5-minute walk from Gondola One in Vail! After a day of skiing, guests can enjoy a drink at the King’s Club bar which features live entertainment, or dine at one of the resort’s three restaurants.
Mid-Range:
Gravity Haus Vail: Featuring an onsite restaurant, spa and jacuzzi, Gravity Haus Vail has a luxurious feel at a bit of a lower price point. With elegant rooms and just minutes away from the mountain, you can’t go wrong with Gravity Haus!
Lodge at Vail: Located in the heart of Vail village, the Lodge at Vail offers panoramic mountain views and cozy rooms (with ski storage space available).
Budget:
Cohabit: A very unique lodging option for the Vail area, Cohabit offers ‘sleeping pods’ with shared bathrooms. It’s located in Avon (about 10-15 minutes from Vail) and is well-reviewed for it’s cleanliness and comfort.
Mein Haus Bed & Breakfast: This B&B is also located in nearby Avon and offers a delicious, free breakfast and clean, cozy rooms. They also have onsite ski storage space and offer a free shuttle service!
What to Pack
Ski Clothes – This one is totally obvious but, of course, if you visit Vail in the winter time you’ll need some nice warm ski clothes. Since I’m by no means a pro skier (yet!), I really didn’t want to break the bank on purchasing all new ski clothes. Instead, I found a few great affordable options on Amazon that worked great for my ski trip!
And there are a few other (and a bit random!) things that I never go on a trip to the mountains without: Liquid IV (it helps me so much with avoiding altitude sickness), hair spray (the dry weather causes hair static and having hairspray on hand helps so much!), and extra moisturizing hand cream (because I just can’t stand when my hands are dry and cracked from the harsh winter climate!).
Hi! This is so informative. Is there a place near vail you can go snow tubing? Thank you!
So happy to hear it was helpful 🙂
I believe there is kids snow tubing at Adventure Ridge which you can reach via the gondola at Lionshead Village. I would just double check with the ski / info office there to see if you need reservations or tickets in advance.
Have a great time in Vail!
Wow, this was so informative! Thank you for all the fantastic information. I’ve been looking into Vail as a possible option for our family of 6 for our next vacation and am really wanting to go during the winter months. Your blog was exactly the info I’ve needed!
So glad it was helpful… Have a wonderful time in Vail with your family! 🙂