If you ask a local how to plan a truly memorable winter weekend in the Vail Valley, they might smile and tell you to take it slow. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of beating lift lines and finding the best parking, but if you stay in Edwards, there are simple secrets that’ll allow you to soak in the snow and sunshine without the hassle of the hustle. You can enjoy quiet mornings, full mountain days, lingering afternoons, and warm evenings that end with delicious meals. It all starts with choosing the right home base and letting everything else fall into place naturally.
Staying in Edwards is the insider move. It is walkable, relaxed, full of great food, and centrally located so you can ski hard by day and unwind without crowds by night. This three-day itinerary is how locals recommend experiencing a winter escape in the Valley.
Edwards as Your Home Base
Edwards offers the best balance of access and ease. You are minutes from both Vail and Beaver Creek, but removed from the congestion of staying slope-side. Riverwalk is lined with cafés, restaurants, and boutiques that allow you to leave your car keys in your room.
When you stay at The Inn at Riverwalk, you have a heated outdoor pool and hot tub with mountain views, pet-friendly rooms, a complimentary shuttle to Beaver Creek, and a Gear Garage stocked with snowshoes and winter accessories. Restaurants, cafés, and après spots are just steps away, which means your evenings can be as relaxed or lively as you like.
Day One: Arrive, Settle In, and Ease Into Winter
Arrive in Edwards and check into The Inn at Riverwalk to kick off your winter weekend getaway, then take a few minutes to warm up by the lobby fireplace. There is no rush today. Day one is about slowing down and settling into mountain mode.
For lunch, walk 5 minutes to Hovey & Harrison for a comforting bowl of soup, a fresh pastry, or colorful bowl full of fresh veggies and perfectly seasoned protein that feel especially satisfying after travel.
After lunch, mosey behind The Inn at Riverwalk along the Eagle Valley Trail. Cottonwoods line the Eagle River, where you’ll catch glimpses of snow-dusted mountains in the distance. Take a minute to browse the shops around Riverwalk to get a lay of the land and pick up anything you might have forgotten.
As evening settles in, sit down to a plate of homemade pasta or brick oven-baked pizza at Zino Ristorante, then return to The Inn for a soak in the outdoor hot tub. Sit back after your travel day and watch the steam rise into the cold air with stars overhead.
Day Two: Ski Beaver Creek or Take It Slow
Today is your first full mountain day. Take advantage of the complimentary shuttle to Beaver Creek so you can sidestep parking and head straight to the slopes. Spend the morning cruising corduroy and soaking in the alpine views.
For lunch, grab a sandwich on the mountain and keep it light. You will want to save your appetite for après ski back in Edwards, just steps from your hotel.
Non-skiers can borrow snowshoes from The Inn’s Gear Garage and explore nearby trails like Maloit Park in Minturn or the Cordillera Summit Trail, both offering beautiful winter scenery without the crowds. Prefer something gentler? Take a scenic stroll around Nottingham Lake in Avon or spend the morning with a good book and a latte at The Bookworm, just two minutes from your hotel.
As the sun starts to set, head to Mountain Fish House, The Inn’s onsite restaurant, for après. Mountain Fish House is known for its craft cocktails, oysters, and delicious selection of surf and turf. Enjoy happy hour specials daily from 3:30-5:30.
End your evening back at The Inn with another hot tub soak and a quiet night in. Grab a board game or a cozy bathrobe from the Gear Garage and ease into your much-deserved rest after your day on the mountain.
Day Three: Ski Vail or Explore at Your Own Pace
Your final day brings another chance to enjoy the mountains. Snag a coffee and breakfast from the Boardroom Market and Deli in Riverwalk, then head to Vail for a full day of exploring vast terrain and the legendary back bowls. From wide groomers to expansive bowls, Vail delivers variety and scale that make the day feel like a grand finale.
Non-skiers can design a relaxed winter day. Take one last snowshoe outing or pick up anything you had your eye on at the shops in Riverwalk. Or grab a shuttle up to Beaver Creek Village to wander through galleries and watch skaters glide across the ice rink.
After everyone reunites in Edwards, finish your winter weekend in the Vail Valley with après at Craftsman Brew Co. for a perfectly handcrafted sandwich with a side of truffle fries and a local beer. Swap stories from the day and toast to a weekend well spent.
A Weekend That Feels Just Right
The beauty of a winter weekend in the Vail Valley goes beyond skiing. It is the balance of adventure and ease, of full days and slow evenings. Staying in Edwards allows you to experience it all without feeling rushed or crowded. You’ll head back to everyday life feeling brighter and more energized than when you left.
