Vail Colorado Hotel Guide and Transportation Tips

WEB RESOURCES

SUMMER REJUVENATION: THE VAIL WAY
By Rebecca Bishop

If you think Vail, Colorado is a winter-only ski town, then you might want to rethink your summer plans or you could miss out on a great little treasure. Walking through the quaint, sun-glistening Vail Village of ski shops during the summer easily conjures up transposed images of the bustling nature it embodies during the winter - yet what you may not realize at first glance is the full array of amazing activities you can pursue there in the middle of summer. The area is a paradise for both the health-conscious and the athletic traveler, but there is no prerequisite to be either in order to fully enjoy this destination's benefits. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, golfing and white-water rafting can be suited to all ages and skill levels. I also found a number of fabulous cuisines around each corner. Join me as we explore Vail and all that it has to offer.

GETTING THERE
Vail is located 110 miles west of Denver International Airport (DIA) and 35 miles west of the smaller Eagle County Airport. Colorado Mountain Express at (800) 525-6363 and Vail Valley Transportation at (877) 829-8294 can get you from Denver Airport to Vail while Colorado Mountain Express and Vail Valley Taxi at (877) 829-8294 or (970) 476-8294 can transport you from Eagle Airport.

ORGANIC EPICUREANISM AT TERRA BISTRO
Opportunities abound if you're health conscious, but the epicurean epicenter is Terra Bistro at the Vail Mountain Lodge and Spa. Gourmand or health nut, Chef Kevin Nelson will delight your palate. He has worked with Terra Bistro for 16 years and as a partner there, he has a vested and continuing interest to surprise and delight his customers with delicious healthy and organic foods. What fascinated me most was Chef Nelson's interest in and ability to meet almost any kind of dietary constraint or interest at a high quality. Serving dishes inspired from Southwest, Mediterranean and Asian cultures, the restaurant is set in a cozy, upscale environment and features a lengthy (400+ bottle) wine list, including organic wines of course.

Though dinner will make your palate tingle (average entrée $29), for a truly novel and historical experience you must experience breakfast here. Chef Nelson is famous for his 1,000-year-old breakfast. "If it wasn't on the planet 1,000 years ago, you won't find it on the breakfast menu,” he tells us. I tried the Biblical Toast, made with Ezekiel bread, organic butter and classic egg batter. He stressed his interest in intersecting healthy eating with happy taste buds and healthy bodies. He explains his belief that breakfast is the meal meant to give your body the proper fuel it needs for the day in the most digestible and energy converting forms, while still producing delicious flavors that don't divulge how healthy it really is. He practices what he preaches and produces and leads an organic and athletic Vail life.

THE VAIL MOUNTAIN LODGE & SPA
Sampling the many Terra Bistro dinner appetizer platters during ‘Appy Hour is a great bargain, but the restaurant is only the beginning of what the Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa as to offer, given its recent $20 million makeover. Offering a full-service spa, salon, an athletic club fit for world class athletes and a wide variety of rooms fit for families, couples, or recuperating athletes, the cozy yet grand lodge delivers almost everything you could want for such a destination. Recognizing the activity level of many guests, the luxurious accommodations will soothe the most forlorn visitor after a hard day's exertion, featuring incredibly comfortable beds, gas fireplaces, iPod docks and spacious marble bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs. With only 20 rooms, the lodge offers comfortable, intimate and individual mountain accommodations with a highly attentive support staff; Jimmy at the front desk seemed to remember everyone's name! Valley View rooms start at $229 during the summer, but they also offer a multi-level, condo-style living space within the lodge.

THE VAIL ATHLETIC CLUB
The fitness club in the hotel is THE fitness club in town spanning 18,000 square feet; it's where many Olympic athletes train throughout the year. It includes a wide variety of equipment including an indoor rock-climbing wall, free weights, nautilus, Pilates, spin, yoga and personal trainers. Mosey on into the steam baths or saunas in the adjacent spa after finishing your workout and consider finishing up with a facial and a Swedish massage. Then, rest in the outdoor Jacuzzi overlooking the babbling creek while enjoying a refreshing beverage.

MOUNTAIN DIVAS GROUP TRAINING
While the mountains of Vail are famous for its ski slopes, you should not be surprised to find that the fully bloomed and slightly wooded trails make excellent hiking ground as well. The territory is vast and feels endless, featuring waterfalls and rock climbing, too. Mountain bikers can use the trams to take their bikes to the top and test their skills on biker specified courses.

One of my favorite gems of Vail, however, is a program established by an awe-inspiring, global, all-around endurance athlete, Ellen Miller, called Mountain Divas. While her accomplishments alone are awe-inspiring, such as SkyMarathons, Eco-Challenges, Nordic ski competitions and summiting Mount Everest multiple times, the gift she brings to Vail's visitors is her motivational, yet easy-going, approachable personality while she leads groups to new athletic heights. During summer mornings, Ellen escorts groups of women (sometimes men, too) who have gathered at The Vail Athletic Club. Participants of all levels learn from Ellen and support each other through this unique experience. To be around her is uplifting and inspiring, but what she can do for you through Mountain Divas is help create a life-changing perspective on the athletic outdoors and develop your energy from within. Enjoy one-hour to one-week long, introductory to advanced level, private and group guided hiking, mountain biking or rock climbing adventures that will transform your life.

No prior skills or athletic experience is required. Ellen is skilled at finding a pleasurable balance of challenge and training to all ages, sizes and fitness levels. She has also specifically conducted programs for recovering breast cancer patients and the clinically depressed, teaching participants how to heal and "self-dose” with their body's natural drugs and sunshine. The mountain has much to teach us in the summertime and with this expert guide, you'll surely reap the rewards. I chatted with Ellen as she led our group up and around the mountains, discussing the flora and fauna, her intriguing international adventures, as well as her philosophical guidance to health, wellness and training.

MOUNTAIN TOP CAMPING AT SHRINE MOUNTAIN INN
If you need a little break from Vail Village, you won't want to miss this. At the peak of Vail Pass, at an elevation of more than 11,000 feet, is a group of deluxe cabins called Shrine Mountain Inn. Sleeping up to 12 people, these three multi-level majestic cabins, complete with kitchens and indoor plumbing, give camping a new name. The log cabins also have large patio balconies to watch the sun set and enjoy the surprisingly hot mornings rise, as well as grated fire pits for food and toasting marshmallow ‘Smores. After all, ‘Smores do make the camping experience, don't you think?

Shrine Mountain Inn is situated on 80 acres of privately owned land in the middle of a National Forest. Reservations and maintenance are handled by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association (TMDHA), named in honor of the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army, who trained during World War II at Camp Hale near Shrine Mountain Inn.

MOUNTAIN BIKING DOWN
Right there, in the middle of summer at Vail Pass, you can still tromp through the remaining snowdrifts. Even better, bring a mountain bike and take a long, leisurely mountain bike ride, over the snow drifts, then down the rocky paths and onto the smooth easy pavement all the way back to Vail Village and hit the spa. We rented our bikes from Troy's Ski Shop right in the village and were able to ride up to the front door to return them. The equipment was well kept and functioned perfectly, even for many of us first- time mountain bikers. The scenic views during the ride back to the village were invigorating. But what inspired me most were all the bikers I passed who were going UP the mountains, from young kids and families to several people over 60. Maybe I'll tackle that on my next trip ...

WHITE-WATER RAFTING
No summer trip to Vail would be complete without white-water rafting. Though there are numerous outfitters, Timberline Tours was able to accommodate me on last-minute notice for a Level 4 trip. Adults and kids over 13 can take this trip for a variety of fun conditions down the bumpy, chilly river on a hot, hot day. The guides are highly trained experts, most with international or world-class competitive backgrounds. But, be careful: we still had a couple people go overboard with no harm done besides their short, slightly chilly swim; these rivers are filled with melting mountain snow. Mind you, the 13-year-old boys and girls were able to stay put in the rafts while the macho men spilled in. But even the men overboard were delighted with the whole experience at the end of the trip. We were all given life jackets, wet suits and booties before jumping in the durable rafts and into the hearty blasts of water. As we headed downstream, we felt exhilarated and refreshed. I had an absolute blast and wanted even more adventure. The next level up, (Level 5, the most difficult) is a full day's venture, including training and testing in the morning to be sure you're ready for your ride. Training includes jumping out of the raft and swimming under it to the other side as well as swimming down a Level 3 current river, among other tasks. If you think you've got the guts, the strength and the ability to hold on tight while you're bumping around and paddling, with water crashing in your face, this is a don't-miss ride!

OTHER VAIL AREA EATS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Just outside Vail where you start many of the rafting rides (and next to Timberline Tours), is the small and historic town of Minturn. I walked through it in five minutes, but you certainly catch its historic feeling. The town is now most famous for the Minturn Saloon, recently voted one of the top 50 bars by Esquire Magazine. Housed in a 102-year-old building and featuring a massive stone fireplace, this Mexican restaurant and saloon is best known for its margaritas. During the winter, you can ski down the hill right up to the door of the saloon, making it an attractive après ski stop to warm up and chill out. At the top of Lion's Head Mountain, right behind Minturn Saloon, you can spot the famous nature-made Lion's Head sculpture, jutting from the rocks.

If you're a golfer, fear not; there are a number of places to tee up in Vail during the summer. The public is welcome at The Vail Golf Club, including courses and training geared specifically towards women. The Vail Mountain Lodge and Spa recently partnered with Red Sky Golf Club so guests can play two courses for $175 per player.

Up The Creek Restaurant in Vail Village was a delightful find that came recommended to me by a number of people. After meeting the owner and Chef Kyle Cowen with his most interesting and impressive background, I knew a treat was in store. Chef Cowen believes heartily in fresh food and fish arrives fresh five days a week. If it's not in season and fresh, then you can be sure it won't be served. The bursting flavors are evidence of this. Eventually, I had tasted most items on the menu and truly enjoyed every single one. The setting of the restaurant, with both indoor and outdoor seating, was beautiful, providing views up and overlooking the creek.

Lastly, for a little evening entertainment in Vail Village, I discovered live music almost every night at The Red Lion Tavern. This historic landmark sure packs ‘em in and offers typical tavern food and drink. However, during the summer if you're lucky enough to be there on a day they're offering the lunchtime fish taco specials, be sure to try it!

VIVE LA VAIL!
While Vail earned its name because of its snowy season, sassy slopes and winter athletes, the healthy benefits and fun of a Vail summer are a little secret you now know you need to get in on. Whatever your age or fitness level, this vivacious village offers summertime experiences that will have you returning home feeling rejuvenated, refreshed and full of energy. Vive la Vail!

Rebecca Bishop has been an avid international traveler, explorer and writer for almost 20 years, starting when she began writing about her experiences in Romania. Now, with over 45 countries under her passport belt, she has served as Publisher of Business Traveler Magazine and worked for The Wall Street Journal and The Smithsonian. A native of Napa Valley, California, Rebecca resides in New York City and is an active partner of The Organic Wine Journal.

*Please tell us what you think of this week's newsletter!

All information presented here is accurate at the time of publication but prices, dates and other details are all subject to change. Please confirm all information before making any travel arrangements.

Note: This trip was sponsored by Shrine Mountain Inn.

Pictures From

The Trip