Here’s How to Enjoy Vail, Colorado Without Skiing Down a Mountain

Go Beyond Ice and Mountains

Think Vail is just for skiing? While this mountain town is famous for its 5,317 acres of snowy slopes, it offers much more throughout the year.

For fewer crowds but still plenty to do, try visiting in May-June or September-October. Here’s your guide to the best things you can do here if you’re not hitting the slopes.

Berry Picker Trail Hike

This popular trail starts right in Vail Village and takes you up the mountain through beautiful aspen trees and flower fields.

The hike is moderately difficult and climbs for 3.2 miles, but there are plenty of benches where you can rest and take photos of the mountains.

In summer, you’ll see lots of colorful wildflowers, including bright red Indian paintbrush and Colorado’s state flower, the blue columbine.

To take the gondola down, you need to pay a fee ($50 a person unless you have an Epic Pass).

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Welcome to North America’s highest botanical gardens.

At 8,200 feet up, these gardens are home to more than 2000 mountain plants, including over 500 different varieties of wildflowers and alpine plants.

The gardens burst in full bloom generally during the summer months, with July being a prime time. It also offer themed areas such as the Alpine Rock Garden with a 120-foot waterfall, the Silk Road Garden, and the Children’s Garden.

They’re pretty accessible, even for wheelchairs, and you can learn about high altitude gardening at a workshop this year.

Vail Village Food Tour

Hungry? Join a food tour through Vail’s charming streets to sample dishes from top restaurants.

Your guide will tell stories about how Vail grew from a quiet ranch into a world-famous resort while you walk between stops.

The tour takes three hours and includes tastings at places like Sweet Basil, known for its lamb dishes, and La Bottega, which makes fresh pasta daily.

Attend the Taste of Vail festival in April to engage with winemakers. This year, Vail is introducing a ‘Restaurant Week’, which features special deals, tastings, and chef collaborations.

Radio Flyer Mountain Biking

This single track road winds down the mountain with smooth turns through aspen trees. You can rent bikes in Lionshead Village, where friendly staff will show you the best ways down the mountain.

Don’t worry if you’re new to mountain biking – teachers are ready to help you learn the basics on a practice track before you try the main trail. The lift carries bikes up the mountain all summer long, so you can enjoy multiple rides down.

Too strenuous? Now class 1 electric mountain bikes (e-bikes) are available for rent (speed of 20 miles per hour).

The Arrabelle Spa Sanctuary

Need to blow off some steam? Drop by this peaceful 10,000-square-foot spa which uses local herbs and mountain mud in its treatments.

The star attraction is their new mountain-view sauna, kept at the perfect temperature. Step inside, you’ll find private locker rooms and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Start with a relaxing steam bath filled with mountain eucalyptus scents, then enjoy a massage with warm river stones. It’s the perfect way to relax after a busy day outdoors.

Colorado Snowsports Museum

Here’s a super chill way to get some skiing action without actually hurtling down a mountain.

Right in Vail Village (adjacent to the Vail Village Covered Bridge), this newly updated museum explains skiing history.

You can see old wooden skis from the 1940s and learn about the brave soldiers (10th Mountain Division) who trained nearby for mountain warfare during WWII.

The museum also has Olympic medals won by Colorado skiers and old posters from when Vail first opened in 1962. The museum offers a historical walking tour of Vail Village at 11 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays (and Saturdays in summer) for $10 per person.

Gore Creek Fly Fishing

Want to catch some fish? Gore Creek runs right through town and is full of trout. It holds a Gold Medal designation for its exceptional fishing quality.

There are multiple access points along Gore Creek, including public parks and pull-offs along I-70, making it accessible for both locals and visitors. Local guides will teach you how to fly fish and provide all the gear you need.

The best fishing happens early in the morning or during special times when the fish are most active, like late June when green drake flies hatch.

Zipline and Coast Down the Mountain

Summer brings exciting activities to Vail Mountain, including seven ziplines and a fun mountain coaster that speeds through the forest.

The four-hour zipline tour takes you high above the trees with amazing views. There’s also a big climbing wall for all skill levels and nature walks where you can learn about local wildlife.

Just be sure to book ahead, especially on summer weekends. Golfers, here’s a surprise. For 2025, a new aerial adventure course has been introduced by the mini golf section to challenge your strength and agility.

Sunday Market and Art Festival

Every Sunday from June to October, Vail Village turns into a huge market with over 135 sellers.

You’ll find fresh Colorado peaches, handmade pottery, and lots of local art. Live music fills the air while chefs show how to cook with local ingredients. It’s one of the largest mountain markets in Colorado.

Stroll past stalls adorned with fresh, fragrant flowers in every hue, nearby, lush houseplants sit in rustic clay pots, and the rich aroma of locally made condiments is fascinating enough.

The Thursday market, ‘Meadow Market Live,’ (from June to September), lets you enjoy local goods.

Hot Air Balloon Experience

See the mountains from above in a hot air balloon (May to October). Flights leave early in the morning when the air is calm, floating 2,000 feet above the valley.

The adventure continues with a celebratory breakfast laid out beneath the vast sky, champagne glasses glinting in the sun. A pilot shares fun balloon stories. Small groups mean everyone gets great views of the surrounding peaks.

Consider booking exclusive flights where you can reserve the entire balloon for a more personalized experience.

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater Performance

This beautiful outdoor theater hosts music and dance shows all summer. Built with natural stone and wood, it fits perfectly into the mountain setting and seats 2,500 people.

You can sit under cover or bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn while watching performances against a backdrop of mountains and aspen trees.

The venue is accessible via the free Vail shuttle bus service. The theater hosts at least 40 shows between June and September.