Playing & Pampering in the Vail Valley / COME TO LIFE WINTER FUN T Vail and Beaver Creek are two of the best-known ski destinations in the state. Vail practically set the standard for the modern ski-resort experi-ence, and its famed back bowls and expansive and diverse terrain ensure fun for skiers of all levels. Beaver Creek Resort’s motto is “Not Exactly Roughing It,” which tells you delightful amenities like fresh-baked cookies slopeside and 20-hour-a-day slope grooming await. Both towns have easy access to o-slope attrac-tions, from snowmobiling and snow-tubing to mountain-top dining and sleigh rides. 1 PLAYING & PAMPERING IN THE VAIL VALLEY CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: VAIL VILLAGE, VAIL RESORTS/JACK AFFLECK; BEAVER CREEK VILLAGE, VAIL RESORTS/JESSE STARR; EPIC DISCOVERY, VAIL RESORTS/JACK AFFLECK. COLORADO Luxury resorts, world-famous golf, culinary wonders, family attractions, spectacular year-round events and concerts, and a drop-dead gorgeous Colorado landscape combine to make the Vail Valley the ideal place for a day of serene pleasure. MORNING Vail Mountain — one of two world-famous ski mountains in the valley (Beaver Creek is the other) — has recently launched oodles of new summer activ-ities under the theme of Epic Discovery 2 , where visitors can access ropes courses, ziplines, an alpine coaster, a waterless tube track and more. Take the scenic gondola up and walk down amid colorful wildflowers, or for a more heart-pumping adventure, hike up the mountain and catch the gondola back down. Vail has partnered with The Nature Conservancy to bring interpretive elements to the Epic Discovery experiences — keep an eye out for their signs. There are also o-road SUV tours and guided hikes for all abilities. Or, savor Colorado’s sun-drenched mountain mornings with a round at one of 16 Eagle County golf courses. Take on the challenging but fair par 3 river and mountain courses at 2 QUICK TIP The Town of Vail runs a free year-round shuttle throughout town — making it easy to go car-free without missing any of the action. COLORADO.COM / 169
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2017: Page 169
