Planning a quick ski getaway or festival weekend in Vail? With so much to see and do, a few days just aren’t enough time to experience all the very best of Vail. Consider adding another day or even a week for an extended stay in Vail, Colorado, to uncover a new side to your favorite mountain town midweek. Discover some of the ways you can enjoy extra time in the villages no matter the season.
There’s More for Everyone to Explore in Vail by Season
Make Extra Time for Fun in Vail This Fall
As summer fades, the mountainsides around Vail transform from green to gold, creating a leaf peeper’s paradise worthy of a trip. So, it’s hard to imagine taking in all this natural beauty in just two short days.
Thinking of adding one more day? Try a picturesque gondola ride . . .
For some of the area’s most stunning scenery, hop aboard a gondola to the summit of Vail Mountain. As you glide above the trees, admire the 360-degree views of the expansive valley below. From the top, hike your way back into town at a leisurely pace stopping at outlooks and alpine meadows along the way to snap pictures with glimmering aspen stands.
Extend your Vail visit for more views with horseback riding & mountain biking . . .
If horseback riding through a golden forest with your loved ones isn’t on your bucket list yet, it should be. Discover guided trail rides fit for all skill levels complete with breathtaking vistas of the rugged mountains in full fall colors. Looking for a more heart-pounding way to see the autumn scenery? Test your pedaling skills biking across miles of singletrack where you’ll find routes peppered with evergreens and brilliant, shimmering aspens alongside rocky climbs, tight switchbacks and fast turns.
Vail Oktoberfest is perfectly timed across two weekends to take advantage of the splendid fall weather. Tack on an extra day — or seven days — to experience activities beyond the festival.
Stay for one more day with a round of golf . . .
After days of lively oom-pah music, cheering revelers and Bavarian-style dancing, slow down and unwind amid nature’s beauty with a relaxing round of golf. Breathe in the crisp fresh air and listen to the sounds of nature as you drive the ball down verdant world-class fairways.
Spend the week exploring Vail’s shops and e-bike trails . . .
Pedaling on an e-bike is one of the most scenic and effortless ways to sightsee around the area. Cruise along the Gore Valley Trail, from east to west. Along the way you’ll pass spectacular landscapes, including red-sandstone cliffs, tranquil beaver ponds, towering snow-streaked mountains and the winding Gore Creek. Don’t forget to snag selfies with dramatic backdrops on your smartphone (or camera) — or ride along mountain trails in search of Instagram-worthy panoramas to share with family and friends back home.
Toward the end of your visit, spend an afternoon browsing boutiques and storefronts to find the perfect souvenirs and mementos to remember your Vail trip for years to come.
Spend More Time in Vail This Winter & Spring
Known for its powdery Colorado slopes, Vail Mountain is the perfect place for days of skiing and snowboarding — especially with an extra-long “winter” season that lasts well into spring. You can typically look forward to skiing perfectly groomed corduroy all the way into April. You’ll also find plenty of winter thrills beyond skiing, which are well worth a day or two of their own.
Tack on one extra day for fat biking in Vail . . .
See the same rugged peaks you were carving up just yesterday from a different angle with a day of fat biking. Bring your own wheels or rent them from the Vail Nordic Center where 8-plus miles of winding paths await beneath the Gore Range’s snow-clad giants.
Can you stay another week? Try snowshoeing, ice climbing & even more food . . .
Discover a quieter side to the mountains as you take in sweeping valley vistas and trek alongside powdery evergreens while snowshoeing. Are you a first timer? Try an easy, one-hour tour at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, where you can practice walking atop the snow without sinking and learn about trees’ role in an alpine ecosystem. From there, uncover more serene nature scenes on a private tour with local guides, like Paragon Guides or Apex Mountain School. Looking to up the ante? Ice climbing is a thrilling sport that’ll have you scaling icy walls and reaching the tops of towering frozen cascades.
Alongside exciting outdoor adventures, Vail also boasts an après-ski scene beloved for its heated patios, energetic live music and a variety of tantalizing eateries. With dozens of places to choose from, like laid-back breweries, MICHELIN-recommended restaurants and Swiss and German-themed spots with authentic Bavarian dishes, you’ll need at least seven days to make a dent in this dining list.
Enjoying a snowy weekend with the kids? You don’t have to stop the fun just because the weekend is over. Extend your visit to keep the magic going and create more cherished family memories together.
Add another day for dog sledding in Vail . . .
Dog sledding is a perfect activity for nature-loving groups. Your whole crew will relish meeting these adorable, fluffy canines, then feeling the wind on their faces as they zip across glistening meadows.
Stay the week to discover more family entertainment like ski lessons, snow tubing and more . . .
An extra week in Vail means plenty of slope time for your family to sharpen their skiing and snowboarding skills. Book lessons for your little adventurers, where they can perfect their pizza and French-fry positions with knowledgeable experts. It’s a great way to share your love of the mountains and spark a lifelong passion you can all enjoy year after year.
For an activity that’s sure to have everyone whooping and giggling the day away, try an afternoon of snow tubing at Sage Outdoor Adventures. Feel a rush of pure joy as you slide down groomed tracks with fast-paced twists and turns. In town, kids and adults alike can feel like graceful ballerinas gliding across an ice-skating rink, like the one strung with glowing fairy lights outside The Arrabelle at Vail Square or the one with soaring peak views in Solaris Plaza.
Between activities, check out stops along the self-guided Hot Chocolate Trail, where you can sample gourmet blends of cocoa and squishy, house-made marshmallows. Visit each locale along the trail to discover your ultimate favorite.
Vail in winter is pure romance with snow-dusted streets decked out in twinkling lights, warm fireside hangouts and mountain views that feel straight out of a postcard. Here, you’ll want to savor special moments like hand-in-hand strolls through the villages’ cobblestone streets or leisurely candlelit dinners and soon “just one more day” will turn into “why not stay all week?”
Enjoy one more day of bliss with an enchanting sleigh ride . . .
Breathe in the crisp, pine-scented air as you snuggle with your sweetheart beneath thick throws on an unforgettable horse-drawn sleigh ride. Outside Vail, Bearcat Stables and 4 Eagle Ranch create a magical atmosphere, where you can dash through the snow beneath sparkling stars before dining at a charming log cabin.
Extend your visit another week for more couple’s fun like spa days, date nights & magical proposals . . .
Indulge in a relaxing spa day together with only-in-Vail treatments, like revitalizing facials, exfoliating scrubs and hydrating body wraps, or opt for a soothing session in a steam room, followed by a classic couple’s massage. Vail boasts many great spas to choose from.
What about planning a memorable proposal? Imagine popping the question with snowcapped mountains behind you or along a snowy trail as fresh flakes begin to fall. Want something bigger to wow your partner? Local event coordinators can help you plan the perfect surprise proposal. Afterwards, celebrate your engagement with a romantic meal for two, like sumptuous French dishes from The Left Bank or authentic Italian pastas at Tavernetta Vail.
Pro Tip: Winter is a popular time for all kinds of Vailcation-ing, so book all your must-try activities and restaurants ahead of time, especially if you’re traveling with a larger group.
Linger in Vail Longer This Summer
From the GoPro Mountain Games to the Bravo! Vail Music Festival to the Vail Wine Classic, summer in Vail is brimming with can’t-miss concerts, festivals and culinary events. Come early or stay late and get extra time to soak in the local atmosphere.
Stretch your trip one more day for additional adventures like fly-fishing . . .
For anglers, summer is the perfect season for trout fishing in Gore Creek. Easy access points make it easy to bring your own gear and cast a line. If you’re new to fly-fishing or the area, local guides can be key for having a smooth experience. They’ll teach you essential techniques, share best practices and lead you to some of the top fishing spots around.
Turn it into a weeklong escape for whitewater rafting, shopping & scenic drives . . .
For outdoor thrills, book a whitewater-rafting excursion near Vail to get your blood pumping. Groups with children can choose milder outings with shorter sections of rapids, while more seasoned paddlers can opt for trips with woohoo-inducing drops and continuous rapids.
Then, spend a day recharging and roaming around. Seek out hidden gems in Lionshead and Vail Village, like the skatepark hidden in a parking garage or the massive wooly mammoth skeleton in a jewelry shop. In the evening, dine on the decadent foods of Vail, like wagyu steaks at the Slope Room and truffle bratwurst from Alpenrose. Or snag sammies to-go from Joe’s Famous Deli and picnic on The Amp’s grassy lawn during a free weekday performance — part of the Hot Summer Nights concert series.
Then, round out your week with a cruise along the Top of the Rockies scenic byway, where million-dollar views, glimpses of elk herds and pit stops at panoramic overlooks and sparkling lakes are just the beginning.
After a weekend of hikes beneath shady aspen groves, breezy bike rides and splash sessions in the chilly Gore Creek, you may not want to return home just yet.
Make time for another day of wildflower viewing . . .
With its milder alpine temperatures, Vail enjoys an extensive wildflower season lasting from late spring to late summer. Schedule your visit for June or July to catch the meadows in full bloom with a parade of vibrant magentas, blushing pinks and soft purples. You’ll love trekking across the mountains spotting these delicate flowers — one of which is only found in Colorado.
Linger longer with a week of camping, hiking a 14er & off-roading near Vail . . .
A camping trip near Vail is a perfect way to embrace your love of the outdoors, while still having a solid home base to return to later. Campgrounds like the Gore Creek Campground offer a lush and tranquil space to hear the sounds of nature and identify constellations amid a star-filled sky.
At Halfmoon Campground, you can tackle challenging trails to the top of Mountain of the Holy Cross, Vail’s nearest Colorado 14er. Or skip the camping and head straight to the summit. If it’s your first 14er, book a guided trek with a local outfitter. They’ll help keep you safe, show you the ropes and offer fascinating insights into the peak’s ecology, history and terrain. Then, go back to Vail for a couple of hard-earned bevvies and a night in a comfy hotel room.
Another option for exploring the mountains is an adrenaline-fueled off-roading tour. Sit back in an open-air Jeep and let an expert driver take you through the stunning landscapes of the White River National Forest and Camp Hale. Or take the wheel and follow a guide on an ATV trek through rugged terrain, across shallow creeks and up steep climbs to panoramas as unforgettable as your drive up to see them.