Vail Mountain Resort in Summer

While Vail thrives as a ski town in the winter, it is also an awesome place to escape to and explore in the summertime. After all, Vail's bed base of nearly 50,000 brings endless choices for restaurants, lodging and activities that do not cease when the snow melts. Vail Village overflows with chic galleries and boutiques along the banks of Gore Creek. Up the mountain is where the real action is though.

In the summer, this skier's mecca transforms into one for mountain bike enthusiasts. Many outfitters offer backcountry mountain bike tours, as well as hikes through the Vail Valley. Other outfitters equip horse riders, white water rafters and even offer obscurities like llama rides. With a number of nearby golf courses and tennis courts, visitors may seek out Vail's share of posh country club-like services.
During the summer, Vail resort carries hikers, backpackers and just about anyone to the tops of the mountains via gondolas and chairlifts. Slope-side in the summer is a great opportunity to take in the Colorado's wildflowers in their Rocky Mountain landscape. If you are looking for more alpine majesty, there are several good options for exploration including Shrine Pass Road, just west of the Vail Pass summit. Shrine Pass is only open in the summer and is normally suitable for passenger cars to climb the 11,089 foot unpaved pass. The four miles up is worth the trek as the pass descends into a scenic Summit County canyon. For a soothing summer activity, head over to the free Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and observe and oasis of forsythia, heather, wild roses and shrubs. The gardens are distinct in that it is the highest public botanic garden in North America. Indeed, being a world-class resort town, Vail overflows with various distinctions yet that should not underscore the importance and premium that Vail places on summer fun.