Summer Activities

Explore the Vail Valley in summertime, when the resort comes alive with seemingly endless outdoor adventures and activities for guests of all ages. For more information, check out our event calendar.

Outdoor Adventures

Adventure Ridge
Adventure Ridge, situated high atop Vail Mountain, is a year-round, day-and-night activity center offering exciting activities for adults and kids of all ages. To experience this high-elevation playground, ride the Eagle Bahn gondola up to Adventure Ridge (located at Eagle’s Nest) and enjoy Frisbee golf, horseshoes, croquet, bocce ball, volleyball, orienteering, laser tag, biking tours, guided hiking tours, dining and more.

Golf
The Vail Valley is renowned for its many unique and intriguing mountain courses—13 at last count. As a guest of The Arrabelle at Vail Square, you'll enjoy exclusive access to the new, award-winning Red Sky Ranch, which features side by side courses designed by Tom Fazio and Greg Norman. The concierge will be more than happy to arrange a tee time for you at Red Sky Ranch or one of the other world-class courses located throughout the valley.

Whitewater Rafting
Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Colorado, Eagle or Arkansas Rivers. From challenging rides through the rapids to lazy float trips, there is something for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. Colorado's rafting season typically runs from late May through early October.

Hot-Air Ballooning
Float above the Rockies in a hot-air balloon and see the Vail Valley in an entirely new way. For the best conditions (and the most spectacular views), be prepared for an early start. Ascend just after sunrise for a one- to two-hour flight.

Fishing
The Vail Valley is packed with exceptional locations for fly fishing, and local outfitters have become world-famous for the quality of their trips. Professional guides offer first-time casting classes for folks new to the sport, as well as trips for expert anglers into some of the Rocky Mountains' secret fishing holes.

Horseback Rides and Cattle Drives
At Beaver Creek, guided trail rides are available around the base of the mountain, as are guided fishing trips on horseback. In addition, several local ranches provide equestrian thrills ranging from children's tours to trail breaking to real cattle drives.

Ranches
Visit a ranch in the Vail Valley and experience the Colorado high country as it was a century ago. Enjoy activities such as cattle drives, sporting clay shooting, horseback riding, fly fishing and more, followed by a true Western barbecue with some of the finest ranch cooking this side of anywhere.

Jeep, Hummer and ATV Tours
Let an experienced guide drive you through the beautiful Colorado high country in a comfortable four-wheel-drive Jeep or Hummer. Enjoy day tours of old ghost towns, mining towns, forested mountainsides and flower-filled meadows. Want to do the driving yourself? Rent a four-wheel-drive ATV and explore the historic Camp Hale area, the valley’s four mountain ranges and the Continental Divide on your own.

Hiking/Walking
Whether you are an experienced hiker ready to take on a Colorado "14er" or a nature lover interested in strolling through the woods, the Vail Valley has a hiking trail for you. Guided hikes are available on Vail and Beaver Creek Mountains, as well as in the Holy Cross Wilderness and San Isabel National Forest districts. Guides are educated in areas of Rocky Mountain flora, fauna, wildlife and local history. Want to explore by yourself? Trail maps are available for self-guided hikes.

Mountain Biking
Rent a bike and discover one of Vail's most popular summer outdoor activities. Take the Vista Bahn chairlift or the gondola to the top of Vail Mountain and take a spin on the resort’s extensive network of mountain bike trails. You can explore the mountain on your own, sign up for instruction or enjoy a guided tour down the slopes. If you're looking for an even more challenging workout, forego the lifts and bike up one of the mountain trails instead.

Sporting Clays
Visit one of the country’s most challenging sporting clay courses, located just 30 minutes from the hotel. This 12-station, fully automated course offers something for everyone – from novices needing instruction to seasoned shooters focused on improving their technique.

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
The beautiful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the highest botanical development in the nation, is located in Ford Park, just a 20-minute walk east of the hotel.

Team Building, Adventure Programs
Explore your boundaries and practice teamwork with a ropes course or other outdoor adventure or educational activity. Whether you represent a company looking to explore ways to increase productivity and cooperation, or you are an individual looking to expand your horizons and enhance your personal performance, Vail can design the perfect program for you.

Chairlift & Gondola Rides
Ride the chairlift or the gondola to the top of Vail Mountain and experience breathtaking views of snowcapped peaks and wildflower-strewn hillsides. Group lift tickets rates are available and vary depending upon the size of the group.

Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival
Enjoy the great outdoors while listening to performances from the New York Philharmonic, Dallas Philharmonic and others.

Vail International Dance Festival
Experience this world-renowned dance festival featuring a variety of award-winning national and international dance companies.

Indoor Indulgences

Athletic Clubs and Spa Treatments 
The Vail Valley features superb athletic clubs and spas offering everything from intense aerobic workouts and yoga classes to rejuvenating massages and facials.

Colorado Ski Museum 
Visit this one-of-a-kind museum  and learn about the people, artifacts and rich and colorful history of skiing in Colorado.