ABOUT VAIL

Get ready for Vail! Founded in 1966, Vail has grown to be the largest ski resort in North America.  Surrounded by the White River National Forest this borderline subarctic climate contains some of the most spectacular views in the world. Make sure to pack appropriately, the November weather sits around a cool 40 degrees with snow scarce until late in the month when ski season begins.

Even when there’s no snow on the ground, there is still plenty to do in Vail. Mountain biking, hiking, shopping and fly-fishing are just a few of the ways to fill your time in this beautiful mountain town.

Grand Hyatt, Vail

Situated along Gore Creek and at the base of Vail Mountain, Grand Hyatt Vail offers the perfect location for outdoor adventures.

Getting To & Around Vail

The Bavarian-style mountain town of Vail is located just off I-70 just under 100 miles from Denver, and there are a number of ways to get between Colorado’s capital city and this beloved ski town.

The Eagle County Regional Airport services Vail, but it is located in the town of Gypsum, about a 35-minute drive west. In winter, there are direct flights from some 14 cities on American Airlines, but in summer, these options drop to just Denver and Dallas, and only Denver has flights year-round. Additionally, flights tend to be more expensive. Most travelers opt to fly into Denver International Airport and then make their way by land to Vail.

From Denver, it is just under a two-hour drive to Vail, depending on weather and traffic (the latter can be heavy on weekends during ski season). You can also take a shuttle or private car service or even hop on public transport from the Mile High City if you are not interested in driving yourself.

Traveling by Car

Rental cars are available at Denver International Airport and at the Eagle County Regional Airport. Parking at the Grand Hyatt is $20/day.

Traveling by Shuttle

Shuttles depart Denver International Airport and Eagle County regional airport throughout the day. To book a shuttle in advance, visit epicmountainexpress.com

Travel by SUV/Limo/Van

Eagle-Vail Express offers SUV and Van service for small groups to and from both airports. To learn more, visit eaglevailexpress.com

HIGH ALTITUDE TIPS

Before your trip to Vail, and while you are here, drinking plenty of water is the number one way to help your body adjust easily to our higher altitude. The low humidity in Colorado keeps the air dry, like the desert, so you need about twice as much water here as you would drink at home.

Alcoholic drinks pack more of a wallop than at sea level. It is recommended that you go easy on the alcohol in the mountains and in Vail, as its effects will feel stronger here.

Potassium-rich foods such as broccoli, bananas, avocado, cantaloupe, celery, greens, bran, chocolate, granola, dates, dried fruit, potatoes and tomatoes will help you replenish electrolytes by balancing salt intake.

The effects of exercise are more intense here. If you normally run 10 miles a day at home, you might try 6 miles in Vail.

With less water vapor in the air at this altitude, the sky really is bluer in Colorado. But there's 25 percent less protection from the sun, so sunscreen is a must. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm... even in winter.

Two days before your trip to Vail, check the weather and use this information to pack appropriately. Because the sun is especially powerful in Vail, it can feel much warmer than the actual temperature during the daytime, but then become very chilly after sundown, particularly in the Spring and Fall.