From outdoor activities, to shopping and festivals throughout the year, there is so much to do in the Vail Valley. My top recommendations include:
Vail
Gorsuch Ltd, 263 E. Gore Creek Drive: This is my favorite store in Vail which has branches in Keystone, Beaver Creek and Aspen. It carries clothes, ski wear, and has great home accessories. The Gorsuch lifestyle is inspired by two of the most beautiful vistas in the world – the Alps, where they find so much inspiration, and the Rockies. So you really have to like a Tyrolean feel particularly in the home furnishings area.
In addition to the skiing, snowboarding, hiking, horseback riding, river rafting, fly fishing, hot air ballooning, biking, golf, jeep tours, tennis, ice skating, and kayaking there are great cultural activities. In the summer there is the Vail International Dance Festival and the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, from June through August where the New York Philharmonic and other great orchestras, artists and conductors perform throughout the summer. Then there is the Vail Jazz Festival with three performance series. Foodies will love the Taste of Vail with seminars and wine dinners in late September. On Labor Day weekend there is also Gourmet on Gore. They feature food from local restaurants along with beer, wine and spirits. Beer lovers will enjoy the Vail Craft Beer Classic held in mid-June.
There is also the Vail Symposium which is a grassroots, non-profit organization that has been part of the life and history of Vail since 1971. Their mission is to provide educational programs for the Vail Valley community that are thought-provoking, diverse and affordable. There is also the Vail Farmers Market and Art Show from mid-June through mid-September. As part of this festival, there are Farm to Table dinners held each month. Check the website for the schedule and for tickets. If you love film, check out the Vail Film Festival in the Spring. Vail Summer Bluegrass has performances in June and July.
For over 34 years you will find the Vail Arts Festival in June. The three-day celebration of over 80 artists showcases digital art, drawing, fiber, glass, graphics and print making, metal works, wood, mixed media, ceramics, paintings, photography, sculpture, jewelry, and fashion.
Winter sports fans should check out the Colorado Snowsports Museum. Here you will learn the history of skiing in Colorado, see examples of ski fashion over time, learn about the history and evolution of snowboarding, seeing exhibitions on the state’s ski and snowboard icons of that have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame and understand the contribution of the 10th Mountain Division and its mountain troupers of WW!11.
Beaver Creek
If you are visiting Beaver Creek, check out the full schedule at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek for concerts, musical theater, dance and other performances. There is also a Summer Rodeo every Thursday evening.
There are also Movies Under the Stars every Tuesday night in July and August, Free Outdoor Yoga, Concerts by the Creek, and Oktoberfest in early September. August has the Wine & Spirits Festival while May features the Blue, Brews & BBQ Festival. Check out the Beaver Creek website for all of these festival dates and information.
Lovers of vintage ski posters will love Christopher & Co. Ltd. which is a vintage poster gallery located in Beaver Creek Village across from the Park Hyatt. Nearby, the C. Anthony Gallery has over 5,000 sq. ft. of art in six separate galleries featuring the work of over 30 artists. 61 Avondale Ln.
Edwards
Also a short drive, in Edwards, is the Slifer Design store which has wonderful home furnishings and accessories. The address is Riverwalk at Edwards, 216 Main Street C-100.
If you are in a shopping mood, stop in Silverthorne at the good Outlet Mall on the way to Vail. In Evergreen, right off of I-70 at 114 Homestead Rd, is Ski Country Antiques. They have a huge selection of antiques and pieces of vintage ski memorabilia and posters. I visited it several times and purchased some great items when redoing our Keystone property many years ago.