Vail! There's no place like it anywhere else.

The heart of Vail is comprised of the Tyrolean-inspired Vail Village and the more contemporary Lionshead. Both are nestled between the mighty peaks of the Gore Range at an elevation of 8,200 feet with surrounding peaks soaring to heights of over 13,000 feet.

A unique blend of American and European cultures, Vail is cosmopolitan yet relaxed. Picturesque, winding pedestrian streets feature colorful shops and boutiques, an international potpourri of restaurants and cafes, a sparkling nightlife and breathtaking vistas at every turn.

Then there is that fabulous mountain! A skier and snowboarder paradise in the winter and a mountain biking and hiking haven during the summer months, Vail Mountain truly offers something for everyone.

The upcoming summer season marks the much

Come summer, as guests and local residents revel in the warm climate and array of activities. Places like Piney Lake (12 miles north of Vail), and Shrine Mountain (atop Vail Pass) are frequented for their serene natural beauty and Rocky Mountain mystique. A trek or gondola ride up Vail Mountain offers a different perspective of the quaint Valley far below. Summer is truly a time to enjoy all that Vail has to offer...naturally.

The Vail Valley holds something for just about everyone. Golfers, for example, will find nine championship golf courses to conquer, and tennis buffs have more than 50 courts from which to choose. In the rarefied air at 8,200 feet (2500m), golf balls fly 10 to 20 percent farther than at sea level.
The Vail Valley's location--within the White River National Forest--offers hikers, campers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, climbers, flyfishers and other adventurous souls the chance to explore thousands of acres of the Rocky Mountain backcountry by way of scenic trails and meandering streams and brooks cut through lush forests and serene meadows.

Cycling enthusiasts may rent a mountain bike or have their own transported up the mountain. "Roadies" can enjoy a dramatic network of paved cycling paths that wind through the valley, over Vail Pass and beyond.

The valley's many rivers, including the Eagle and the mighty Colorado, challenge expert and novice whitewater rafting and kayaking enthusiasts. Fishermen find solace along the bountiful streams, rivers, lakes and ponds of the region.

• alpine skiing
• snowboarding
• ice skating
• snowshoeing (daytime and under moonlight)
• Nordic/cross-country skiing
• snowmobiling
• sledding
• ice fishing
• hot-air ballooning
• dog-sledding
• sleigh rides
• horseback riding
• ice climbing

Winter is also a wonderful time to wander through the villages with thousands of tiny white lights peeking out of store windows and peering through evergreen boughs. The shops are alive with activity and chock-full of mementos. The restaurants thrive this time of year, offering an appetite-whetting array of tantalizing cuisine.

Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast looking for invigorating exercise in the serenity of the area's natural surroundings, or prefer to sit back and enjoy the action from afar, Vail Valley offers a variety of choices.

The young, and the young-at-heart, will delight in Vail's newest on-mountain playground. Adventure Ridge offers an eight-lane tubing hill, an outdoor ice skating rink, two snowboarding half-pipes, sled dogs, five unique restaurants, late-night dancing, and--one of the most exciting new sports to hit the slopes--guided snow biking tours. (Snow biking is similar to mountain biking, but instead of wheels, the bikes employ skis.)

Winter in the valley is also the perfect time for an exhilarating horseback ride through some of the area's most pristine wilderness, or join a group of new-found friends on a horse-drawn sleigh ride over the new-fallen snow. Several valley ranches offer such excursions, designed to take your mind off of the rush-hour traffic and pressing deadlines back home.

The arts are thriving in the Vail Valley. More than 20 galleries showcase art works ranging from traditional to avant-garde masterpieces. Browsers and serious artists are invited to attend free, weekly gallery tours. Additionally, both Vail and Beaver Creek Resort host world-class, juried outdoor art shows each summer. The Vail Valley also offers an extensive performing arts program each season. In fact, the resort community has evolved into a major center for music, theater and dance in the Rockies.

Among the much-anticipated attractions is the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, the world-class sounds of which can be heard at more than 30 concerts each summer. Internationally renowned orchestras and soloists perform some of the finest in pops, jazz and chamber music in beautiful Vail Valley venues.

The Vail International Dance Festival combines intensive educational opportunities for young American dancers with stunning public performances by principal dancers representing major dance companies from around the world. Presented by the Giordano Family Foundation, The Vail International Dance Festival features the Ensemble Series, along with the popular Paul Mitchell International Evenings of Dance.

Finally, there are the numerous amenities that can be enjoyed all year long. Fine restaurants, colorful shops and galleries, exciting nightlife, superb accommodations and endless activities are just some of the reasons to visit the Vail Valley during the summertime.

If a break from the beauty of the Rocky Mountain backcountry is on the menu, take in one of the many world-class performances at Beaver Creek Resort's exclusive Vilar Center for the Arts. Premiering last winter, the Vilar Center offers a diverse line-up of unique productions, including international ballet, world-renowned musicians, entertaining children's events and engaging symposiums.

The Vail Valley offers numerous amenities that can be enjoyed all year long. Fine restaurants, colorful shops and galleries, exciting nightlife, superb accommodations and endless activities are just some of the reasons to visit the Vail Valley anytime of year!

There are several villages located throughout the Vail Valley, from Vail to Edwards. Each village offers its own unique shops, restaurants and galleries. Vail and Lionshead Villages, Main Street in Minturn, Avon's commercial centers, Beaver Creek's Market Square and the Village Center and Riverwalk in Edwards offer distinct flavors of the western Rocky Mountain culture both in style as well as cuisine.

Take a tour of the valley through the many eateries and boutiques and uncover treasures you just can't live without!