Best Things to Do in Vail in the Winter

Vail’s winter reputation was built on skiing, and fairly so. But spend a few days here and you’ll notice how much of the season happens off the slopes, from skaters circling under string lights to kids in snow pants taking over the playgrounds. Vail is the perfect destination if you’re traveling with a mixed group of ski enthusiasts and with those who would prefer staying off the slopes.

This guide covers the best things to do in Vail in the winter, starting with the mountain itself and moving on to the snowshoe trails, ice rinks, and bowling lanes that will keep your whole group busy.

Skiing and Snowboarding on Vail Mountain

We begin with the main event. Vail Mountain has more than 5,000 acres of terrain, including seven Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. Close to 200 trails run down from a summit of 11,570 feet. There is enough easygoing terrain for a first-timer to build confidence, and enough steep, deep snow to keep a lifelong powder chaser busy all week, which is exactly why groups of mixed abilities do so well here.
If skiing is the heart of your trip, our guide to skiing in Vail walks you through lessons, ski valet, and getting to the lifts. From here, we’ll cover what to do off the slopes, from gondola rides and snowshoe trails to ice rinks and bowling lanes.

Two hikers in winter gear hike a snowy forest path, surrounded by snow-covered trees and bright sunlight filtering through the branches.

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Top Activities in Vail for Non-Skiers

Vail is truly the perfect winter destination, even for those who don’t ski, surprising as it may sound. Some of the best views in town don’t require getting on a ski lift, and a few of Vail’s most peaceful winter outings happen off the slopes. These three activities are the best places to start for non-skiers visiting Vail Mountain.

Scenic Gondola Rides

You don’t have to ski to get up the mountain. Both of Vail’s gondolas carry passengers in winter, so non-skiers can ride up, take in the view, and ride back down. Gondola One leaves from Vail Village and climbs to Mid-Vail, and its cabins come with heated seats.

The Eagle Bahn Gondola leaves from Lionshead Village and tops out at Eagle’s Nest. Either ride takes about 15 minutes each way, with the Gore Range filling the windows the whole time. One thing to keep in mind: it is colder and brighter at the top than it is in the village, so bring sunglasses and wear real winter boots. You can find more tips for planning a scenic gondola ride in Vail before you go.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is winter hiking with better traction, and if you can walk, you can do it. The season usually runs from mid-November into March, depending on snowfall. For an easy first outing, the Vail Nordic Center keeps approximately 6 miles of snowshoe trails on the snow-covered Vail Golf Club, with the Gore Range as a backdrop.

From January—March, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens offers naturalist-led snowshoe tours at an unhurried pace, and you’re also welcome to wander the grounds on your own. Fun fact: it is North America’s highest botanical garden, and it is just as lovely under snow as it is in bloom.

If you’d like to get up high, the Nature Discovery Center leads free guided snowshoe tours on Vail Mountain. They run about an hour, and a guide explains how the forest’s plants and wildlife make it through the cold months. The tour itself costs nothing, though you will need a scenic gondola ticket or a pass to reach the starting point.

Nordic Skiing

When snow covers the Vail Golf Club, it becomes the Vail Nordic Center, with about 10 miles of trails groomed daily for both classic and skate skiing. If you’re new to the sport, classic is the easier style to pick up, and certified instructors teach lessons for anyone who would like a head start. It is a quieter, flatter kind of skiing than what happens on Vail Mountain. For travelers who like the idea of skis but not the idea of heights, this is the sweet spot.

Ice Skating, Snow Tubing, & Sled Dogs

Some winter days call for something a little more playful. These are the outings that get the whole group laughing, and none of them requires any experience.

A skater glides on an outdoor ice rink between snowy cabins and mountain slopes, with warm lights glowing behind them.

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Ice Skating

Vail has two outdoor rinks that stay open through the winter season, one in each village. The ice rink at Solaris Plaza sits in the middle of Vail Village with the mountain rising right behind it, which makes it an easy stop between dinner and dessert. Over in Lionshead, the Alderhof Ice Rink fills the square at The Arrabelle, and it is especially pretty once the lights come on in the evening. Both rinks have skates on site. You can show up in your boots and rent skates right by the rink.

Two people laugh while sliding down a snowy hill in a red/yellow inner tube, wearing winter gear and goggles.

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Snow Tubing & Sledding

For tubing, head to Sage Outdoor Adventures in Wolcott, about a 15-minute drive from Vail. You get two groomed runs to choose from, and a snowmobile tows you back to the top in a raft. Kids tend to love the ride up as much as the ride down. Sessions last an hour, riders need to be at least 3 years old, and helmets are required, so bring your ski helmet or borrow one when you arrive. It is a good idea to reserve a snow tubing session before you make the drive.

Prefer the old-fashioned version? Bring a sled to Ellefson Park in West Vail or Bighorn Park in East Vail. Both have gentle hills that suit little ones, and Bighorn has an off-leash area if your dog came along for the trip.

Snowmobilers in helmets ride a snowy trail through a dense pine forest, with multiple sleds lined up in the background.

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Snowmobiling

Nova Guides runs snowmobile tours around Camp Hale, the World War II training ground of the 10th Mountain Division, on a network of more than 100 groomed miles. Sage Outdoor Adventures leads its tours on private terrain in Wolcott. You can compare snowmobile tours near Vail to find the right fit for your group.

A musher drives a team of huskies pulling a sled through snowy woods, all bundled up for winter.

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Dog Sledding

Dog sledding is the more relaxing thrill of the two. A team of huskies does the work while you ride through the backcountry. Mountain Musher is the closest outfitter at about 20 miles from Vail, and Alpine Adventures is about 33 miles away. These outings fill up fast around the holidays, so it pays to book dog sledding near Vail well in advance.

Shopping and Dining in Vail Village

Not every day needs an itinerary. Vail Village is made for wandering, with car-free, cobblestone streets, chalet-style storefronts, and Gore Creek running right through the middle of it. Browse the boutiques and art galleries, warm your hands with a hot chocolate, and cross the Covered Bridge at least once for the photo. If you want a little history with your stroll, the Colorado Snowsports Museum tells the story of the state’s ski pioneers and the 10th Mountain Division.

Lionshead Village sits about a mile to the west and has its own mix of shops and restaurants. A free in-town bus connects the two, so it is easy to see both in one afternoon. When you get hungry, our Vail dining guide can help you choose a table. It is also worth a look at the Vail events calendar to see what is happening while you’re in town!

Parks and Playgrounds Stay Open All Winter

Here is something visiting parents don’t always expect: kids in Vail play on the playgrounds all winter long. Zip everyone into snow pants and let them climb. Pirate Ship Park sits at the base of Gondola One in Vail Village, where kids can captain a full-scale ship with a lookout up top, nets to scramble up, and swings nearby. In Lionshead, Sunbird Park has three oversized nests to climb into, cross between, and slide out of. Ford Park, just east of Vail Village, has a big playground with plenty to climb, swing on, and hide in. You can see the full list of Vail’s parks and playgrounds if the kiddos want to try a new one each day.

A snowy alpine chalet resort with warm windows and red-white shutters, set against wintry mountains under a blue sky.

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Stay in the Heart of Vail Village at Austria Haus

However you spend your winter days in Vail, a hotel in the heart of Vail Village means less time getting around and more time enjoying your trip. Austria Haus is a Destination by Hyatt-affiliated hotel in Vail Village, a two-minute walk to Gondola One and just as close to the Solaris rink and the lanes at Bōl.

Most of what’s in this guide is in one of the two villages, so once you’ve arrived you can leave the car in our valet parking garage and get around on foot or by the free bus. Our boutique hotel welcomes skiers and non-skiers and offers something to do just outside the door. Ready to plan your winter getaway in Vail? Browse our availability at Austria Haus and book your stay with us today.

Best Things to Do in Vail in the Winter (for Non Skiers Too)