Vail Getaways

The Vail Valley consists of a series of small towns and villages strung along I-70 or state highways. At the base of the mountain is Vail Village, a purpose-built pedestrian village. But there are real towns nearby, towns like Avon and Minturn, and any vacation home rentals, dining, and shopping you can't find at the resort will be found here. A must-see stop is the Colorado Ski Museum at the top of the Vail Transportation Center. The one dollar admission is worth it. There are plenty of more active diversions, too. Vail lies along the route of the 10th Mountain Division Hut System, and it's possible to do a hut-to-hut backcountry tour from here to Aspen. More backcountry treks (although without huts) are possible for the experienced in the White River National Forest. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing possibilities abound, along with fly-fishing, dogsled tours, and much more.