100 Things To Do in Winter in Vail

For a winter vacation in Colorado filled with unforgettable experiences, there’s no better place than Vail. From days skiing our world-class slopes to delectable dining options and holiday fun, you can enjoy your best winter getaway with the help of our bucket list.

For Adventure

1. Carve Vail Mountain’s perfectly crafted corduroy — you’ll soar down like you have wings.
2. Zip through fresh powder on a snowmobiling tour exploring Vail’s high-elevation terrain.
3. Get your ski legs under you with early-season turns — you’ll feel like you have the mountain to yourself.
4. Reserve your spot for an adaptive ski lesson. Opt for a one-on-one session or join a group class with a trained Adaptive Assistant.
5. Dash through the snow on a magical Colorado sleigh ride. Turn it into a romantic couple’s evening with a multi-course cabin dinner.
6. Ski Vail’s Legendary Back Bowls, including Blue Sky Basin, on a free Vail Mountain tour. These journeys are ideal for intermediate-to-advanced powder hounds.
7. Look out over a winter wonderland on a scenic gondola ride to the top of Vail Mountain.
8. Cross-country ski across miles of perfectly groomed trails with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
9. Feel like you’re in a sparkling snow globe as you snowshoe along slopes speckled with evergreens.
10. Cruise effortlessly over snow-covered trails on a fat bike.
11. Arrange a snowcat ski adventure with friends and family for exclusive access to ungroomed slopes above timberline.
12. Embrace your inner figure skater as you glide across the ice rinks at Arrabelle at Vail Square or Solaris Plaza.
13. Practice small leaps or show off high-level tricks on large rails, jibs and boxes at Vail Mountain’s terrain parks.
14. Scale Vail’s frozen waterfalls on a guided ice-climbing trip with Apex Mountain School.
15. Share your passion for the slopes with the gift of ski or snowboarding lessons.
16. Meet a pack of four-legged athletes before racing across a frosted landscape on a dog-sledding excursion. As a bonus, you can opt to drive the team yourself.
17. Venture into Vail’s backcountry to explore beyond the ski resort. Make sure you know the risks, however, and follow proper safety precautions — or, better yet, hire a trained guide who knows the ropes.
18. Cast a line on a winter fly-fishing adventure with a local expert.
19. Enhance your ski experience with customized gear — like new fitted boots at Surefoot.

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For Holiday Cheer

20. Go on a selfie tour with a stop at the Vail Covered Bridge and see it lit up with colorful strings of lights.
21. Attend festive events during Vail Après and feel the jolly spirit of the season in November and December.
22. Show off your best festive duds — from Santa onesies to tinsel-decorated sweaters — at the Vail Ugly Sweater Fun Run.
23. Stroll through a mini-holiday village at Kringle Crossing and check out all the whimsically decorated chalets.
24. See the village squares come to life with the Vail Village and Lionshead tree-lighting ceremonies.
25. Honor Camp Hale soldiers who trained for Europe’s harsh winter conditions during WWII at the 10th Mountain Legacy Parade.
26. Snap a photo with Santa while your kids give him their last-minute wish list at Vail Village’s International Bridge.
27. Marvel at the gravity-defying jumps, dizzying spins and ballerina-like grace of top international ice skaters at an Ice Spectacular performance.
28. Sip on glühwein and browse alpine-themed booths for artisan gifts and souvenirs at the Vail Kris Kringle Market.
29. Celebrate New Year’s Eve by watching skiers with glowing flares sail down Golden Peak during the Torchlight Parade & Fireworks.
30. Admire ice sculptures carved into fantastical designs along the Gore Creek Promenade during Vail Winterfest.
31. Stroll along Vail’s wreath- and garland-festooned streets and feel the merry cheer of the season.

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For Flavor

32. Have a magical meal for two in the privacy of your own cozy gondola at Alpenrose.
33. Ride to the top of Vail Mountain for panoramas and hearty dishes, like pot pie and wagyu burgers, at The 10th.
34. Taste gourmet cuisine at award-winning restaurants like the MICHELIN-recommended Sweet Basil and Osaki’s.
35. Sip specialty cocktails like the Steam Punk Toddy or Cosmonaut at Chasing Rabbits’ tucked-away speakeasy.
36. Hire a concierge to create a luxury winter picnic in your own heated bubble tent.
37. Indulge your taste buds with a weekend of fine wine and food during Taste of Vail.
38. Eat a mid-day snack with spectacular valley views at Vail’s mountaintop decks.
39. Dress to the nines and sip handcrafted cocktails at Vail’s chic hotel bars.
40. Embrace hygge vibes with La Nonna Ristorante’s warm ambiance and freshly made pastas.
41. Sample Vail’s best spots for hot cocoa, with flavored marshmallows and housemade chocolate, on a self-guided tour.
42. Taste award-winning Colorado spirits, including small-batch brandy and sage-infused peach-vanilla cordial, at 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company.
43. Learn how to make your favorite mixed drinks at Root & Flower’s private cocktail-making class.
44. Sample authentic Bavarian cuisine, like apfelstrudel topped with vanilla sauce or savory bratwurst, at Vail’s German restaurants.
45. Luxuriate at a leisurely brunch with tart cranberry mimosas and eggs Benedict at Vintage.
46. Stay toasty with hot mugs of apple cider and cocoa or sample house-specialty drinks around firepits at Cucina, The Remedy Bar, Gorsuch Ski Cafe and more.
47. Check out Vail Brewing Company, locally known as VBC, for a rotating cast of locally made beers. The Vail Village tasting room is BYO snacks, so you can grab a fresh pie to-go from Pazzo’s Pizzeria across the street.
48. Dip your choice of baguettes, select meats and fresh fruits in a pot of fondue at Swiss Chalet.
49. Sip cocktails and listen to live music at The Red Lion and Vail Chophouse — two classic Vail après spots.
50. Fuel up for a day of winter adventure with made-from-scratch dishes at The Little Diner.
51. Get energized after a morning of snow-filled adventures with coffee from Yeti’s Grind. Order it to-go and explore the villages.
52. Savor a romantic date night with dinner at La Tour Restaurant and a hand-in-hand walk along Gore Creek.
53. Spend the night grooving to live DJ sets at Shakedown Bar.
54. Take advantage of the sleek après-ski vibes at Gravity Haus Vail’s Slope Room. Mingle by the roaring fireplace as you drink house cocktails like the honey-centric Bumblebee.
55. Arrange an intimate whiskey-tasting experience inside a massive Stranahan’s whiskey barrel at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail.
56. Go to The Left Bank for warming menu items like house-made French onion soup or lobster bisque on chilly days.

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For Relaxation

57. Reap the benefits of a halotherapy session in The Hythe Vail’s Himalayan Salt Therapy Lounge.
58. Let gentle vibrations soothe your mind and restore your body with The Sound Lounge Experience at Aquarian Uprising.
59. Round out your Colorado ski trip with a restorative sports massage — perfect after an active day on the slopes.
60. Rebalance and rejuvenate with Après Yoga, a class specifically designed for adventure athletes, at Dryland Fitness & Spa.
61. Acclimate yourself to Vail’s high elevation by visiting an oxygen bar like the one at Recovery Lab Vail.
62. Replenish your skin’s natural glow with the Alpine Rescue facial, a treatment specially crafted for high-altitude environments, at The Spa at Grand Hyatt Vail.
63. Reset your mind and body with a tranquil Dream Pod Float Experience at RockResorts Spa at The Lodge at Vail.

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For Arts & Culture

64. Dive into Vail history with a walking tour from Colorado Snowsports Museum & Hall of Fame.
65. Tour the villages’ public-art displays, including impressive selfie-worthy murals.
66. Paint your own pottery to create memorable souvenirs or handmade presents.
67. Walk along Gore Creek to spot local wildlife bounding through the snow.
68. Visit Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument and follow the self-guided loop featuring 10 stops with interpretive signs.
69. Stop at Instagram-worthy spots around Vail and snap a photo for your next holiday card.
70. Meander between Vail’s incredible art galleries for nature-inspired sculptures, delicate jewelry and colorful paintings.
71. Rock out to live bands during the two-day Après at The Amp festival — and end ski season with a bang.
72. Enjoy laughs and good vibes as stand-up comedians take the stage at monthly Vail Comedy Shows.
73. Hear local performer Helmut Fricker yodel expertly on select nights at Sarah’s Bar and Lounge inside the Christiana at Vail.

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For Family Fun

74. Show off your little skier’s or snowboarder’s skills during The Steadman Clinic Vail Cup, a kid-friendly competition series.
75. Grab a jersey and cheer on the local Vail Yeti ice-hockey team with your crew.
76. Make s’mores right at your table at Grand Hyatt Vail’s Gessner Colorado Mountain Grill.
77. Slide down snow-blanketed hills at Ellefson Park in West Vail.
78. Meet members of the Vail Ski Patrol and their cute avalanche canines during Dine with the Dogs at Henry’s Hut on Vail Mountain (a cool place to warm up and eat a snack, too!).
79. Head out on a free, guided snowshoe tour through silvered forests at the Nature Discovery Center.
80. Set out on the educational, self-guided Tree Trail at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, available mid-December–March.
81. Challenge your group to a friendly bowling competition at DECA + BOL.
82. Inspire kids with art projects and scientific activities at Imagination Station.
83. Watch your bundled-up little ones zip down slides and rollick on jungle gyms at playgrounds throughout Vail.
84. Seek local treasures like picture-perfect gondola cars and hidden-away restaurants on a scavenger hunt through the villages.
85. Let your family’s pup romp and roam in the snow at the Bighorn Park off-leash dog park.
86. Travel between the villages easily with free bus rides.

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For Vail Mementos

87. Buy only-in-Vail mementos at local boutiques like The Golden Bear.
88. Perfect your mountain look with the help of fashionable boutiques and ski brands like Perch, Ogier and outdoor DIVAS.
89. Decorate your tree with stunning ornaments from The Gilded Spruce.
90. Get your ski and snowboard gear fitted from the comfort of your hotel room with Black Tie Skis or Ski Butlers.
91. Fill Christmas stockings with your kids’ favorite candies from Fuzziwigs’ Candy Factory or Rocket Fizz.
92. Find special gifts for younger children at Wishes Toy Store, from stylish outfits to cuddly stuffed dolls.
93. Discover Western-style presents like cowboy hats and boots at Kemo Sabe.
94. Spoil your fluffy companion with a new toy or tasty treat from The Pet Boutique of Vail.

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Make your Winter Stay Unforgettable

95. Enhance your Colorado ski trip with a convenient stay at a slopeside hotel or one with a ski valet.
96. Enjoy a bespoke experience with a winter retreat at a cozy boutique hotel.
97. Hire a private chef to cook up your daily meals or even cater a festive cocktail party.
98. Stay in a hotel with an outdoor hot tub, like Antlers at Vail, for an end-of-day soak with snowy mountain views.
99. Experience alpine charm and local history when you rest your head at one of Vail’s family-run hotels.
100. Opt for a room with a fireplace at accommodations like The Hythe, so you can warm your toes while watching snow fall.

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Discover More in Vail:

• Know what to pack for winter.
• Dig into our list of 100 things to do in summer.
• Find the best places for reserving ski and snowboard rentals.
• See our list of winter activities you should book in advance.