Vail is a beautiful place any time of year, with a variety of activities available, but it is, of course, best known for its skiing. So after the mountain closes, I sometimes have guests ask “what is there to do in Vail in April and early May?”
In most of the world April and May are lumped into the season that lots of people call “spring”, however, here in the mountains we call it “mud season”, “shoulder season”, or simply “off-season”. If you happen to come to town during this time of year and are wondering what to do, here are some ideas for you:
Visit Hot Springs
The hot springs throughout Colorado are perfect for relaxing any time of year, but particularly nice during the slower seasons since there are fewer people there and the milder air temperatures match well with the warm water. One of my favorites is Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs, CO.
Hike
Skin & Ski: So the lifts aren’t running anymore and you can’t get a ride
up (the gondola typically doesn’t start running for scenic rides until MemorialDay weekend), but there’s still snow to be skied; what to do? Hike! If you’re particularly adventurous and there’s still some good snow available on the mountain, you may want to consider skinning up and skiing down. Skinning requires a special setup that includes a pair of alpine touring bindings, boots, and skins for the bottoms of the skis (skins allow you to hike up on your skis without sliding backward down the hill). If uphill access is no longer allowed on Vail during the time of your visit, consider checking out Meadow Mountain in Minturn.
Or, if skinning is too technical for you, you could throw on a pair of hiking boots and microspikes, hike up with your skis on your back, and change into your ski boots for the ride down…I’ve done it, and it’s a VERY good workout.
Short Day Hikes: If skinning is more technical than you’re prepared for,
there are options for regular walking hikes throughout the Vail Valley.
One of my favorites during shoulder season is Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon.
A couple of others to consider are Booth Falls Trail in East Vail and Buck Creek Trail in Avon that starts either from the Walking Mountains Science Center (worth quick visit) or a small parking lot maybe 1000 feet up Buck Creek Rd. beyond Walking Mountains. The Buck Creek Trail is one that I feel is overlooked by many since it isn’t an overly strenuous hike, but it provides some rewarding views out to Beaver Creek Resort and if you happen to be there around sunset you may see deer coming down out of the woods for dinner.
Take advantage of off-season discounts at Vail restaurants
Although the village tends to take a break during shoulder season, there are still a handful of restaurants open and they usually offer amazing discounts during that time. So before you head out to a restaurant check out their website or call to see if they’re open and if they’re offering any specials. For example, Nozawa Sushi has offered as much as 50% off during the shoulder seasons in prior years.
Bike
Although the famous bike path over Vail Pass may still be covered with snow (and, thus, not usable) during mud season, the Gore Valley Trail is a 12 mile paved recreation path that runs through Vail Village on a mix of bike lanes, village streets, and a dedicated path along Gore Creek. It’s a great way to enjoy a bike ride while also exploring the town. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous or want to add some distance to your trip, the trail connects at the west end of town to the Eagle Valley Trail.