Vail, Co: Every year something wonderful happens in the heart of the Rocky Mountains . Colorado ’s world-class winter destination magically transforms itself into from season to season.
When the snow on the ski trails melt, Vail becomes a warm and glorious Alpine paradise. You’ll find all the fresh air, rugged beauty and outdoor activities that characterize the Rockies , and with all the culture and amenities of a bustling international resort. You can spend your nights shopping and dining in a five-star village setting. My favorite restaurants were Sweet Basil, Larkspur Restaurant, La Tour Restaurant, Wildflower Restaurant and Remington at Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch.
Walk through endless fields of wildflowers and listen to the breeze tickle the Aspen leaves. A special treat is to take the Vail recreational path to the nature Center and Betty Ford Alpine Garden. There are wildflower tours available through the nation’s highest public garden. Or soak up the sun while relaxing to the sounds of New York Philharmonic at spectacular Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, with the Fords in the audience. This experience gave the “Hills are alive with the sound of music” new meaning for me. Bravo! draws close to 50,000 people to this musical event to spend some blissful evenings surrounded by sublime mountain scenery, listening to the heavenly music of some of America ’s best orchestras. The Vail weather can change in a minute. Bring warm clothing and rain gear along with summer attire. One night the lightening sky show nearly upstaged the performance.
Vail’s city streets are made for walking, not for driving. Bavarian architecture, hand painted exteriors and Belgian horse-drawn carriages combine to create a changing Alpine atmosphere. In fact, the town of Vail is divided into two pedestrian only villages, Vail Village and Lionshead. At an elevation of 8,150 feet, the summer weather is typically crisp and low in humidity with an average temperature of 70F, while afternoon showers and cool nights help create the perfect Rocky Mountain weather. Wildflowers begin to bloom in April and by July they are blanketing the ground everywhere you go, sometimes waist deep. The town of Vail operates the largest free public transportation system in the country. Parking is free in Vail Valley and Lionshead parking garages are free all summer long.
Vail offers lots of Rocky Mountain recreational activities such as hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, golfing, chairlift/gondola rides, gold mines, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning (what a thrill!), ghost towns, fly fishing, kayaking, tennis, spelunking, train tours, sporting clays, canoeing, and jeep rides which I enjoyed with Lakota Guides for a tour of Vail Valley www.lakotariver.com. They even have a rodeo at Beaver Creek with classic events like Mutton Bustin’, team roping and bull riding. www.BEAVERCREEK.com
The Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival continues its 18 th year with three resident orchestras and more than 40 internationally-acclaimed soloists and chamber musicians. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic orchestra, treat visitors to exhilarating programs and chamber musicians filled Vail Valley with an abundance of exceptional performances. To hear music in the various Festival venues in the majestic setting of the Rocky Mountains is to have an unparalleled artistic experience.
