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Thrilling Activities and Things to Do in Vail, Colorado

Sucheta Pradhan
If you love adventure, Vail, CO is the place to go. Forbes named it the “King of American ski resorts”. But there are also plenty of other thrilling activities to do in this beautiful alpine town. Here is our handpicked list!
Enjoy Top-notch Skiing
Catering to all levels of skiers, Vail is the “largest single-mountain resort” in the US.
Vail boasts one of the world’s best mountains with 31 lifts and over 5,000 acres of skiing tracks.
Ride a Snowmobile
If you don’t want to go skiing, but are craving for adventure at the same time, a snowmobile can come to your rescue.
This activity will pump some extra adrenaline into your veins!
Book a Dog Sledding Adventure
Dog sledding is yet another activity to engage in for adventure junkies. In Vail, there are plenty of beautiful trails, free of snowmobiles, specifically designed for dog sledding. This is one of the most thrilling winter activities in the city!
Snowshoe Your Way through the Mountain
Those looking for little less adventure but a whole lot of thrill can take a snowshoeing tour. Several such guided tours are offered in Vail wherein you can learn about the landscape and the city while taking in scenic views of the surroundings.
See the Mountain from a Gondola
The first ever gondola in the US was installed in Vail. Since then, gondola tours have been a popular attraction here among skiers and non-skiers and is also one of the rare free things to do in Vail.
Go on a Snow Tubing Adventure
One activity that the entire family will enjoy, snow tubing is for both, kids and adults. Engage in this activity for a couple of hours and have a good break from your skiing lessons!
Engage in High-altitude Golfing
Head to the Sonnenalp Club, a semi-private country club with 18 holes in a state-of-the-art golf course. The club sits on the mountainside in Edwards that offers magnificent views of the Vail Valley.
Go Glamping with Your Family
Stay in a luxurious safari-style tent in the lap of nature. It is an isolated, off the grid accommodation option, but with high-end amenities.
Take the Ziplining Tour
If you’re visiting in summer when enough snow is not available for skiing, ziplining is the main activity on the Vail mountain. Take the special four-hour ziplining tour over the mountain for the region’s scenic bird’s-eye view!
Climb Down the Mountain in an Alpine Coaster
If you’re looking for something more adventurous than ziplining, perhaps an alpine coaster will do the job.
This winding ride will take you about 3,400 feet down the mountain; you’ll never forget this experience!
Hike Your Way around Vail
Yet another popular activity in Vail, especially during summer, is hiking.
Vail boasts several scenic hiking trails, which take you to the highest peaks and deepest valleys. If you love adventure and sightseeing, this is the must-do activity for you!