Hi adventure fam! We just got back from a magical weekend in Vail! We got to experience the first real mountain snow of the year while watching the golden aspens get dusted in white. Absolutely magical. Read on for my favorite things to do during the shoulder season in this beautiful ski town!
But first, where to stay: This time we booked our stay with Vacasa . They have over 40,000 vacation homes to choose from all across North and Central America. Using Vacasa to book your vacation home comes with so many benefits! They have a huge selection of homes allowing you to cater to your group size (furry friends included), vacation vibe, and location with ease.
In Vail, this is the home we stayed at! This spot is perfect for large groups or multiple families looking to do a tandem ski trip this winter. The home was spotless, and came with everything we needed for a perfect trip: coffee, a full kitchen, 5 bedrooms, and of course a hot tub with a mountain view!
Vail in shoulder season is so magical! This is the time between the busy summer season and the even busier winter ski season. Parking is free, there are hardly any people, and the town takes on such a serene vibe. Here are a few of my favorite things to do this time of year!
Wander Around Vail Village: Stroll through the town and enjoy the peace and quite you rarely get to experience in the ski towns! Just ensure to check that businesses are open as most have modified days and hours for the off season. Pro tip, don’t miss The Little Diner!
Take a hike or bike ride: Hike to Booth Falls (this one was within walking distance from our Vacasa rental) or take a bike ride along the Gore Valley Paved Trail. For Booth Falls, this is a difficult trail so I recommend it to experienced hikers only. But walking along the Gore Valley trail puts you in the middle of gorgeous aspen trees and right along the river!
Drive the Top of The Rockies Scenic Byway: This road connects to Leadville and eventually becomes Independence Pass which is one of my all time favorite fall drives. The views are amazing and I love passing through all the small mountain towns along the way. If you head to Leadville, click here for your guide of all the best things to do!
Pro tip: Instead of continuing on this road over Independence Pass to Aspen, try driving through Red Cliff into Minturn instead! The road wasn’t busy, the views were beautiful, and the history surrounding the area makes it so special!
Make sure to Relax! The mountains are a place of adventure, but don’t forget to slow down and soak in the beauty! After days exploring, being able to come back to a place that felt like home was so wonderful. Vacasa helped set us up with a home that was modern yet cozy, large yet intimate, and made the most of the scenery provided by our beautiful Colorado mountains. I would use them time and again for all my vacation plans!
Our booking experience was fantastic! Vacasa helped us find the perfect home quickly, had great communication during our stay, and helped make for a seamless trip to Vail. Click here to browse their available rentals and see for yourself how a vacation with Vacasa can help you create wonderful memories!
As always, drop any questions in the comments below, and subscribe to the blog to stay up to date on all the latest! Happy adventures, fam!
*I was hosted in exchange for media promotion for this stay.