It's winter in Vail, and there's plenty to enjoy in the high country

Vail in winter is a wonderful and colorful village to explore. Ski or not, there’s plenty to keep you busy. To see it all, take a few walks – in the village and perhaps along Gore Creek. Ride the gondola to Eagle’s Next for lunch with a view to top them all: vistas of distant mountain ranges are stunning. There are kids’ activities throughout the week at Adventure Ridge, Eagle’s Nest, for the whole family. Several new hotels in both Vail Village and LionsHead put a new face on Vail and are fun to explore. Others are still under construction but give visitors an idea of what’s to come. Ride the bus from LionsHead to Golden Peak and decide where you might want to stop. There’s the Vail Library, the Dobson Ice Arena, ice skating at the new Arrabelle Rink near the gondola. In fact, LionsHead has some wonderful new options for shopping and dining, all within close walking distance of the free bus system. Take a hike or a snowshoe one day, ski or snowboard the next. Casual restaurant fare or elegant dining await. And maybe a little shopping in the many boutiques that Vail has to offer. Check out our What To Do Magazine, a guide to activities, dining, shopping – you can plan it all here.