I live near Vail and visit often. Here are 5 mistakes I see people make when they visit the famous Colorado ski town.

As a Colorado local, I tell people visiting Vail to prepare for higher elevation, skip car rentals, and avoid only coming during busy winter season.

Feb 10, 2025 - 20:04

I live near Vail and visit often. Here are 5 mistakes I see people make when they visit the famous Colorado ski town.

Vail, Colorado, aerial view at sunrise — As a Colorado local, I see a lot of people make the same mistakes when visiting Vail.
Kruck20/Getty Images

I live in Colorado and visit Vail often to go skiing or check out local events throughout the year.
Vail isn't just a winter travel destination — the city has great events happening all year.
Don't forget to prepare for the elevation increase (and crowds if you visit during high season).

Vail is famous for skiing, but it's so much more than just a winter destination.

You don't have to ski to enjoy Vail — the city also has wonderful spas, lodges, and shops. I live in Denver and travel about two hours away to Vail at least once a month to go skiing or attend one of its fun, year-round events.

Here are some of the most common mistakes I see travelers making when they visit this famous Colorado ski town and how to fix them.

Only visiting in the winter

Hand holding Vail wine glass and snacks on tray in front of event tents on grass — Vail is a fabulous place to visit year-round, with four distinct seasons.
Molly O'Brien

You don't need to visit Vail in the winter to have a good time. Every season here feels distinct and beautiful.

Spring can also be excellent for skiing, with sunnier skies and warmer temperatures. Plus, spring's warmer weather welcomes Vail's outdoor events like the Après at the Amp Music Festival, which takes place each April.

Summertime ushers in longer blue-sky days and a cooler temperature due to Vail's high elevation. Summer is also when ski resorts transition into mountain-bike-adventure parks.

Noteworthy summer festivals to attend include the Vail Wine Classic and Vail Craft Beer Classic.

And, of course, autumn is gorgeous in Vail. Visitors can admire the colorful changing leaves — the aspen trees are especially stunning —and explore the town in comfortable temperatures.

Ignoring the elevation increase and risks that come with it

Mountains in Vail, Colorado, with yellow and green trees — Vail is thousands of feet above sea level.
jdross75/Shutterstock

Vail is over 8,000 feet above sea level, and sometimes visitors can struggle to adjust to a higher elevation.

At higher elevations, you may struggle to catch your breath and your body can become dehydrated more easily. It's crucial to drink enough water and go easy on yourself.

The sun is stronger at higher elevations, too. Remember to put on sunscreen — even if it's a cloudy day.

Forgetting to account for crowds during high season

Dog walking on dirt trail in Vail — Trails can be pretty empty in October, which is Vail's offseason.
Molly O'Brien

Vail gets millions of guests a year, especially during peak season, which is usually December through March.

The town can get crowded, so reserve your trip in advance. If you want to do specific activities, like eating dinner at a special restaurant, try to secure reservations ahead of time.

I recommend trying to plan a visit during the week instead of the weekend. Also, I would avoid planning Vail trips during holidays and long holiday weekends, such as Presidents Day weekend, that get extra busy.

You may even want to consider visiting during the offseason to avoid crowds.

Not venturing outside the town of Vail

Backyard of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Avon — The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Avon isn't far from Vail.
Molly O'Brien

Vail is a popular vacation destination, but it's also worth exploring other cities in the valley.

One of my top recommendations for skiers is Beaver Creek, a mountain village and ski resort about 15 minutes west of Vail.

Beaver Creek is just as upscale as Vail in terms of luxury, but it's known for its more approachable ski terrain.

The village has gondola rides, ice skating, hiking trails, and more. Those with an Epic Season Pass for snowsports in Vail can also use it at Beaver Creek.

Feeling you need to rent a car to have fun

Cobblestone area inh Vail with tents, businesses — Many parts of Vail are quite walkable.
Molly O'Brien

Those intimidated about driving to Vail in the winter due to inclement weather can take group transportation like the Bustang, which departs from downtown Denver, or the Epic Mountain Express shuttle, which leaves from the Denver International Airport.

Once you're in Vail, though, you don't need a car at all. The town is very walkable and has a large public-transportation system.

There are multiple free bus routes that can take you around the entirety of the county, with the Vail Transportation Center serving as the area's central hub.

Numerous resorts in Vail have their own regularly departing, complimentary shuttle service to bring visitors around town, too.

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