A Festival Weekend In Vail Valley: The Hills Are Alive
The Heidi Guide shares about her recent travels to Vail
Vail Valley. | Photo: Courtesy of Vail Local Marketing District
Freshly back from a weekend in Vail, nothing is better than being in the mountains when it’s nearly 100 degrees in Denver. My husband, who always packs the truck, was glad we didn’t need to bring big coats and snow boots. Floppy hats, flip-flops, and a pedicure are all you will need for a mountain vacation over the next few months. Under two hours from Denver, summer in Vail Valley means cooler temps, a bounty of color, and festivals galore.
Heidi Ryan At The Vail Craft Beer Classic 2024. | Photo: Heidi Kerr Schlaefer
We were guests at the Vail Craft Beer Classic, a beer festival that spreads out in Vail Village with an array of bands taking the stage. The village is the perfect site for a festival as it is walking only, with the free bus taking alternate routes around town during an event. Plus, with the European look of the buildings and soaring peaks all around, the photo backdrops are spectacular.
2023 Vail Wine Classic. | Photo: Ryan Cox Photography
We were staying at Austria Haus, a boutique hotel reminiscent of a European chalet. There are many excellent reasons to make this your festival headquarters this summer, not the least being its location. Next to Gore Creek and located in the village, it’s close to everywhere you want to go.
Outdoor pool. | Photo: Courtesy of Austria Haus
Austria Haus also offers breakfast with your stay. Each morning the spread is beautiful and delectable. Think egg and sausage sandwiches, lox, and fresh fruit. Pastries, waffles, and various other breakfast delights await in the brightly lit, cozy breakfast room. The space flows into a library, complete with a fireplace and game table.
Outside, the pool and hot tub patio overlook Gore Creek. On our second morning, we enjoyed breakfast at an outside patio table; the smell of fresh flowers filled the air, and hummingbirds buzzed in the trees. Each night after dinner out, we soaked our feet in the hot tub while sipping wine, and enjoying the sounds of a lazy Vail evening creekside.
2023 Vail Wine Classic. | Photo: Ryan Cox Photography
The Vail Wine Classic, happening in August, holds its Grand Tasting in the Athletic Fields just above the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and just a hop and skip from Austria Haus. The gardens are one of my happy places, and I never visit the Vail Valley without a garden stroll.
Betty Ford Alpine Garden. | Photo: Heidi Kerr Schlaefer 2024
If music is what you’re looking for, the hills of the Vail Valley are alive in the summertime. The Gerald G. Ford Amphitheater, next to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, is filled with music every summer. From violin concertos to free bluegrass concerts, the amphitheater is the location of many various shows.
Several Vail Valley festivals hold events here including Bravo! Vail Music Festival, June 20 to August 1, 2024, and the two-week-long Vail Dance Festival, July 25 to August 5, 2024. From free concerts in Avon on Wednesday nights to the Vail Jazz Festival held annually over Labor Day Weekend in Vail Village, Vail Valley is the place to get down with every music style in the mountains.
Niki Harris at Vail Jazzfest. | Photo: Courtesy of Vail Local Marketing District
Enjoy stars like Tanya Tucker at Beaver Creek’s Vilar Performing Arts Center. Located below the ice rink in elegant Beaver Creek Village, this well-appointed theater offers everything from magic shows to concerts at surprisingly affordable ticket prices. Plus, they get some big names.
In addition to an array of music festivals, the Eagle Mushroom & Wild Food Festival is August 9-11. Eagle is in the west part of Vail Valley along Interstate 70. Forage for mushrooms, learn about mushrooms and eat mushrooms at this unique event featuring mycologists (someone who works with fungus ) and wild food experts.
Hiking Vail area. | Photo: Courtesy Vail Local Marketing District
Whether visiting for a specific event, or on any given weekend in summer, there’s sure to be a festival or event happening in the Vail Valley. There’s even a chance that it’s free. In addition to festivals, the Vail Valley offers various trails for every type of hiker, whether it’s a stroll along the paved Gore Creek Trail, or a hike on the more rugged Pitkin Lake Trail, which usually requires a full day to traverse.
Biking is popular too, and like hiking, it can be an easy ride or a complex mountain bike outing. Outfitters are easy to find or bring your own. Of course, renting an electric bike is now an option and the hilly Vail Valley can be a fun way to check out this newest type of biking.
Whether planning a simple weekend getaway or a longer stay, with stunning views, amazing restaurants, cooler weather, and accessibility, the Vail Valley is always an outstanding choice.
