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Getting to Vail: It’s about a two-hour drive from Denver International Airport to Vail. If you don’t want to rent a car, you can make the trip with Epic Mountain Express. Rates from $64. Complimentary Wi-Fi. 970-754-7433, epicmountainexpress.com (Photo by Jack Affleck)
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Stay at Sonnenalp Hotel: The longest running family hotel in Vail, the Sonnenalp features accommodations ranging from traditional guest rooms to one-and-two bedroom suites. With German food and décor, there’s a strong European feel. (It has a sister property in Germany celebrating its’ 100th anniversary in 2019.) Rates start at $300 in summer, $700 in winter. 20 Vail Road, Vail, Colorado, 866-284-4411, sonnenalp.com. (Courtesy Photo)
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Along with guided hikes, a Kids Club, and a semi-private golf club, the Sonnenalp Hotel has a relaxing spa area open to all guests. In addition to both indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, there’s a large fitness center. A variety of treatments including massage, body treatments, skin care, manicures, and pedicures are available at the spa for an additional cost. (Courtesy Photo)
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Eat at the Swiss Chalet: There are five restaurants at Sonnenalp Hotel. Highlights include cheese and chocolate fondue at the Swiss Chalet, and the lavish buffet breakfast at Ludwig’s where waitresses are dressed in drindls, or traditional German dresses. (Courtesy Photo)
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Eat at La Nonna Ristorante: Italian for grandmother, La Nonna Ristorante makes fresh pasty daily. Just be sure to save room for the tartufo bianco flavored with housemade limoncello. 100 E. Meadow Drive, Suite 24, Vail, Colorado, 970-393-5959, lanonnavail.com (Courtesy Photo)
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Eat at Vendetta’s Restaurant: If you weren’t craving pizza before you walked in, you will after you catch your first whiff. With a double-sided bar, the restaurant is relaxed and family-friendly. If you hear someone sit down at the bar and say, “I’ll take a raise,” it’s a member of the Vail Ski Patrol. Vendetta’s treats patrol members to a free beer at the end of every day on the mountain, making it a popular hangout at the end of the day. 291 Bridge St, Vail, Colorado, 970- 476-5070, vendettasvail.com (Courtesy Photo)
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Eat at Terra Bistro: Located in Vail Village in the Vail Mountain Lodge, menus at Terra Bistro change with the season. Choices range from fried goat cheese and ahi poke, to parmesan gnocchi, grilled mahi mahi, and a green curry beef noodle bowl. 352 E. Meadow Drive, Vail, Colorado, 970-476-6836, terrabistrovail.com (Courtesy Photo)
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Make a splash at Piney River Ranch: Only 12 miles from Vail Village, it takes a good 45 minutes to bump your way up a dirt road to get there, but once you lay eyes on Piney Lake, you’ll be happy you made the trip. Open seasonally from June 21st through the last weekend in September, the private ranch offers fly-fishing, hiking, canoeing, horse shoes, and stand-up paddle boarding. 700 Red Sandstone Road, Vail, Colorado, 303-905-4439, pineyriverranch.com. (Photo by Dana Rebmann)
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Piney River Ranch offers rustic but fun, mountain getaway accommodations. Along with four lakefront cabins, there’s one lakefront yurt, and three glamping tents. All accommodations share a men's and women's guest bathhouse. Tent rates start at $219, cabins at $249, and the yurt at $429. There’s a small restaurant, bar, and gift shop at Piney River Ranch. There is no Wi-fi or cell service; enjoy the opportunity to disconnect. (Photo by Dana Rebmann)
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See the mountain: Even during the summer, the mountain is the place to be. Soak in the scenery as you ride the Eagle Bahn Gondola from Lionshead Village to the top of Vail Mountain. The climb to above 10,000 feet takes about 10 minutes. Kids 12 and under ride free with the purchase of an adult/senior ticket. Online rates: adults $42, kids (5-12) $27, seniors (65+) $36. vail.com. (Photo by Jack Affleck)
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Ride the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster: Epic Discovery is an outdoor playground for all ages at the top of the mountain. The Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster winds its way down the mountain to the tune of 3,400 feet. Don’t worry, you don’t have to hike back up. Using handles that move forward and back, riders control how fast or how slow they want to go. (Photo by Jack Affleck)
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Not a coaster fan? Epic Discovery also features ziplines, adventure courses, a climbing wall, tubing hills and more. An Adventure Pass covers all-day access to nearly a dozen activities. Online rates: $109, for thrill-seekers 54 inches and taller, and $74, for those 53 inches and under. (Photo by Jack Affleck)
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Take a llama to lunch: Yes, it is as fun as it sounds. Paragon Guides offers backcountry hikes with llamas that include a lunch spread complete with a red checker table cloth and a view. Llamas love being out and about, and can carry as much as 80 pounds. Goodbye backpack! Rates start at $550 for two people, $95 each additional person, $55 for children 12 and under. 210 Edwards Village Boulevard B107, Edwards, Colorado, (970) 926-5299, paragonguides.com (Photo by Jack Affleck)
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Try goat yoga: Don’t knock it until you try it. It’s not a hardcore workout, it’s more like an hour of guaranteed laughs and smiles. Don’t wear your favorite clothes. Goats nibble on everything. (They don’t typically rip things though.) Hour-long classes cost $40. Vail Stables, 915 Spraddle Creek Road, Vail, Colorado, 855-743-3824, vailstables.com (Photo by Jack Affleck)
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Catch a Show at the Bravo Vail Music Festival: An easy walk from Vail Village, the Bravo Vail Musical Festival features nearly two months of summer performances ranging from world-renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic to movie nights where a live orchestra performs the film's score. Ticket prices vary, but budget-friendly lawn seats are available in addition to a free concert series (performed in a variety of locations) in July. Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater (GRFA), 530 S. Frontage Rd E Vail, Colorado, (877) 821-5700, bravovail.org (Photo by Jack Affleck)
