Beaver Creek / Vail Colorado, CO

The small mountain community of Vail, Colorado lies within the White River National Forest, offering visitors a wide array of year-round activities in the picturesque surroundings of the Rocky Mountains.

Lifestyle

The residents in Vail, Colorado are known for the quality of their lifestyle, living in one of the best of alpine resorts in America combined with the friendly, small town atmosphere. Most residents are very active, in both outdoor recreation in the surrounding national forestland and on the lakes and rivers as well as in community activities.

Schools

Vail offers a private school that covers all grades from kindergarten to the 12th grade, as well as a public elementary and middle school combined, with kindergarten to 5th grade classes. The nearest college is about 53 miles distant – the Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Another choice is the University of Colorado at Boulder, about 62 miles away.

Population and Income

As of July 2008, the population in Vail was 4,768, males making up 58.4% and females 41.6%. The population has grown around 5% since 2000. There is a blend of American, Hispanic, Asian and European cultures. The estimated median household income in 2008 was $71,662 with an estimated per capita (per person) income of $54,657.

Industry

Of course, Vail’s economy centers primarily upon tourism, with the winter skiing and snowboarding activities drawing visitors from all over the country. Summer recreation, such as fly-fishing and rafting, has made Vail a favored summer vacation destination as well. And because of Vail’s wide variety of restaurants, the town has developed into a popular culinary center.

Popular Activities

Although winter recreation has been at the top of Vail’s activity list, summer fun also makes this town a popular vacation destination. Surrounded by 350,000 acres of national forest, there is virtually no end to activities to fill your days, no matter the season you come.

Some of the things to do when in Vail are:

• Skiing and snowboarding at Vail Ski Resort
• Cross-country skiing miles of groomed trails
• Snowmobiling in the snowy landscapes
• Shoeshoeing on the networks of trails around Vail
• Snow tubing down hills
• Sleigh rides
• Dog sledding with Siberian Huskies pulling you along
• Hiking through the backcountry
• Mountain biking
• Fly-fishing the rivers

Events

A number of annual cultural events throughout the year have both residents and visitors entertained and enthused. In March or early April, attend the Vail Film Festival. At the Fourth of July celebration, you’ll see one of the largest fireworks displays in Colorado. You can check in town for any festivals, rodeos or concerts happening during your visit so you don’t miss a thing.