Introduction

Vail

A sleepy mountain village Vail is not. In fact, it is the beating heart of a year-round calendar of high-altitude cultural events. Each spring, Vail hosts both the Taste of Vail food festival and the Vail Film Festival. Summertime sees the annual six-week Vail Jazz Festival, which culminates with the bang-up Labor Day Weekend Jazz Party. The Vail Oktoberfest is well attended by a well-lubricated bunch year after year. Come winter, the two-week ski-season kick-off party known as Snow Daze starts things really rolling. Once kicked off, the season gets into high gear with other events such as The Session, an action-packed snowboarding extravaganza. If you're tired of watching the action and you want to get in on it, stop by Gravity Jones or Double Diamond for everything you'll need. Summer activities in Vail are no less extreme — let Colorado River Runs take you on a downhill journey of a different sort. For less adventurous travelers, Vail's got a lot to offer as well, from galleries showcasing local art (such as Cogswell Gallery) to museums celebrating local pastimes (like the Colorado Ski Museum). Additionally, Vail is a famous home-away-from-home for a certain U.S. President and his family; honor this part of Vail's heritage by attending a concert at Gerald Ford Amphitheater, or stopping to smell the roses at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Beloved (and internationally renowned) local businesses thrive thanks to repeat business from locals and travelers alike. Stop into Verbatim Booksellers, located inside Sonnenalp Resort, for a peerless book-buying experience. Vail is renowned around the world for its fine dining as well. Cutting-edge culinary meccas like Kelly Liken, Larkspur, and The Left Bank line seemingly every boulevard in the supposedly "quiet" mountain town. After so much action and adventure, relax in one of Vail's many spas (like Heaven Massage & Spa), and then bed down at one of Vail's many luxurious hotels (perhaps the Austria Haus).

Lionshead

Lionshead is a bustling, pedestrian-friendly district in central Vail. It is home to a great glass gondola that ferries thrill seekers to the peak of Vail Mountain all day. Accordingly, this district is packed with ski shops, action sports outlets and outdoor gear outfitters, all offering deals on the finest in equipment and fashion. Vail Ski Tech is one of them, conveniently located right next to the gondola. If you're in town at the start of the ski season, take part in the annual Ski Swap, a semi-official kickoff to the season (and a great place to hunt for bargains). Being that it is so centrally located, Lionshead is also home to quite a number of souvenir shops (including Charlie's Shirts, Inc) and an endless selection of luxurious accommodations (such as the Antlers at Vail condominiums). From Lionshead, you can also reach Adventure Ridge, a kid-friendly mountain-themed fun park. Visitors of all ages can revel in the action-packed fun of snow mobiling, bungee jumping, ice-skating, ski biking, dancing, drinking and playing laser tag. Obviously, with so much to do, Lionshead visitors need some sustenance. Cuisine here ranges from on-the-go quick bites at Flying Burrito Co., to the family-friendly southern-style soul food of Moe's Original, and the decidedly more upscale seafood specialties of Montauk Seafood Grill.

Avon

Just eight miles west of Vail, along the scenic Eagle River, is the Rocky Mountain town of Avon. A relatively small town, the population of Avon increases rapidly during the ski season. Located at the base of Beaver Creek Ski Area, Avon is a great destination for those looking to see the surrounding areas of Vail.

Avon gives its visitors the opportunity to fill their days with numerous outdoor activities. You'll no doubt need all the energy you can get, so start you day off right with som e caffeine at Loaded Joe's, and put back a cup of coffee that will ensure a bright start to your morning. Let Lakota River Guides help you put all that energy to good use, with an outdoor adventure down one of the Vail Valley rivers.

There are a number of eateries in Avon, from fine dining to a quick bite at a cafe. After a day on the slopes warm up and fill up at Bivans, where the food and the atmosphere are always right. If your looking for a dining experience that comes with a view, make your way to Grouse Mountain Grill, whose rustically elegant decore match the surrounding mountain views.

If you plan on staying in Avon, there are a number of accommodations that range from the ultra posh to quaint condominiums. The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch is a beautiful resort that provides its guest with top-notch service with one of the best ski-in ski-out experiences in the US. For a more personal, homelike stay, the Falcon Point Resort offers two or three bedroom condos right on the shores of Lake Nottingham, making it an appropriate choice for both winter and summer visits.

Leadville

The historic town of Leadville has a past not nearly as long as the list of activities accompanied with its destination. Wilderness beauty abounds in this mountainous town, with pristine alpine lakes, snow covered peaks, rippling streams and rivers, and skies of astounding blues.

If you happen to find yourself in Leadville during the holiday season, it would be in your best interest not to miss the Old Fashioned Christmas. The Victorian style homes and buildings that remain from the mining days make the atmosphere for this event just right with the perfect touch of yuletide feelings. Continue on with the winter festivities as Leadville plays host to the Off-Track Off-Beat Snowshoe Run.

Beaver Creek

Here, the mountains truly come alive. Lodgings manage to blend resort-style comfort with rustic, woodsy atmospheres. Try the Beaver Creek Lodge or Creekside. For a woodsy dinner, take advantage of Beaver Creek's mountaintop dining options. Allie's and Beano's are frontier cabins in which adventurous foodies can experience fine dining right on the slopes. Back in town, get really rustic with a steak and a pitcher at The Dusty Boot, or a distinctive pie at Blue Moose Pizza. Proper connoisseurs might want to schedule their visit to coincide with the Beaver Creek International Culinary Classic, an annual cooking competition. Obviously, so much activity might require a measure of respite. If so, make an appointment at one of Beaver Creek's renowned spas, such as Allegria

Eagle

Eagle is the site of a number of exciting entertainment choices. Many of them involve heart-pounding, calorie-burning adventures, so be sure to load up on some hearty Italian cuisine at La Scala beforehand. Afterward, hit up Beaver Divers, a curiously high-elevation dive shop that will outfit you with everything you need for a serene diving experience. They even do tours. Prefer to keep your head above water? Camelot Balloons will take you way above water, and thrill you with dazzling views of the Vail Valley from on high. In search of thrills closer to Earth? Enroll in a class at Eagle Dance Academy, whether your interest be in classical or contemporary styles. The whole family can get in on the act at The Back Bowl. More than just an average bowling alley, this place bills itself as a "Family Entertainment Center" complete with video arcades, live entertainment and even gourmet dining.

Edwards

Fifteen miles west of Vail lies the thriving residential town of Edwards. Its local culture and strong sense of community are never more evident than at the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration.

That is not to say Edwards is not accommodating to travelers. Plenty of attractions keep people pouring in from far and wide. Balloon America is the oldest ballooning firm in the valley, and they'll take you soaring high above everything. Back on the ground, cast away your troubles with the help of Gorsuch Outfitters Fly Fishing. Children in tow? Meet the Wilderness is an organization dedicated to introducing young people to the joys of the unexplored. Enroll your little ones in a program, or volunteer to contribute your own time or expertise.

When so much adventure gets tiresome, one can always fall back on Edwards' superb selection of shopping destinations. For that special occasion, try Kimberley's Fine Jewelry. Pamper yourself even more with a stay at The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, where amenities include all the comforts of resort living, alongside in-house restaurants such as Chaparral (for steaks and chops) and Grouse on the Green (for Irish-style pub grub). Speaking of pubs and pub grub, to focus your attentions more exclusively on Colorado's contributions to the world of beer, hoist a pint at Gore Range Brewery, a local favorite.

Photograph provided by Jack Affleck