Alpine Air, Mountain Charm, and Rocky Mountain Magic
Nestled deep in the Colorado Rockies, Vail is a mountain town where rugged wilderness meets alpine elegance. Best known as one of North America’s top ski destinations, Vail transforms in every season, offering endless beauty whether you're hiking wildflower trails in summer, biking scenic ridgelines in autumn, or catching powder in winter. For vanlifers, it’s the perfect place to slow down, breathe deep, and soak up a blend of adventure, culture, and crisp mountain air.
While Vail’s slopes are legendary, there’s so much more to explore. In warmer months, take a gondola ride up Vail Mountain for panoramic views of the Gore Range, then hike the Berry Picker Trail back down through pine forests and wildflower meadows. Booth Falls Trail offers another stunning route, a moderate 4-mile roundtrip hike that ends at a cascading alpine waterfall. For lake lovers, Piney Lake is a vanlife favorite: it’s remote, photogenic, and surrounded by dramatic peaks.
The town itself is modeled after an Austrian ski village with cobblestone walkways, wooden chalets, and pedestrian-friendly streets lined with shops, cafés, and open-air patios. It’s a blend of European charm and Rocky Mountain spirit, best experienced on foot (or bike!).
Quick fun facts
🎿 1. It Was Started by a War Hero and His Ski Buddies
Vail was founded in 1962 by 10th Mountain Division veterans who trained nearby during WWII they turned their love of skiing and the Rockies into a world-class resort town.
⛷️ 2. It’s One of the Largest Ski Resorts in the U.S.
With over 5,300 skiable acres, Vail is a snow lover’s dream including the legendary Back Bowls, which cover a whopping 7 miles of open powder terrain.
🏔️ 3. It's a Top Spot Year-Round Not Just in Winter
In summer, Vail turns into a hiker’s and biker’s paradise, with epic trails, fly-fishing, and outdoor concerts plus the Vail Farmers’ Market and the Bravo! Music Festival.
🏘️ 4. The Village Looks Like the Alps On Purpose
Vail Village was inspired by Bavarian alpine towns, with cobblestone streets, chalet-style architecture, and car-free zones like stepping into a European mountain dream.
🎡 5. It Hosts a Snowboarding Olympics of Its Own
Vail is home to the Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships, attracting the world’s top riders and turning the town into a weeklong party-meets-powder fest.
Trivia question
Q: Which U.S. state was an independent republic for nearly 10 years before joining the Union in 1845?
