Why she loves Vail Valley summers most and how you can experience it too.
As a winter-sport elite athlete, a lot of people are surprised to learn that I love summertime, but it’s because I get to call the Vail Valley home that summer is one of the very best times of the year. While winter brings powder days on the slopes and cozy snow-filled magic, summer brings endless fun in the bright, wildflower speckled mountains. After spending my entire childhood in the Valley, I love coming home between training camps to soak up the summer sun, and I’ve got a solid Summer bucketlist for you all to follow on your next trip.
Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River
Peak runoff season is in June and July, and the raging waters usually make for great whitewater rafting. With the lower snowpack this year rivers are lower and the season will be shorter, so there is even more reason to get after it early! I grew up rafting the Colorado River with my family, and whether it was a weekend daytrip on the Upper Colorado or an overnighter with s’mores and hotdogs around a campfire, rafting is my second favorite thing (besides skiing) to do outside in my hometown and definitely a bucketlist activity. My dad was a raft guide for Timberline Tours for 10 years. They’re the best local rafting company, and I’ll always cherish the memories of him teaching me and my siblings how to row the boat. Besides taking in the scenery and getting splashed from inside the raft, you can stand up paddleboard, paddle in the ducky (an inflatable canoe), or fish for trout, and I promise it will bring the perfect combination of fun and serenity.
Fly Fishing the Eagle River
Speaking of fishing, that’s another bucketlist item that you have to add as well! There is a myriad of fantastic fly-fishing companies that will guide you to catch the most beautiful fish you’ve ever seen on either the Colorado or the Eagle River, and it can be done from the boat or on foot on the riverbank. On a hot summer day in the mountains, there’s no better place to be than the river, and I personally can’t wait to get back out there as soon as possible.
Mountain Biking the Rockies
Another favorite activity of mine that is more exercise-oriented is mountain biking! You’ll absolutely get your cardio in if you bike uphill, but you can also just satisfy an adrenaline craving with Gondola laps on Vail Mountain. Either way, there’s plenty of local shops to rent the best bikes in the business to explore more of the stunning Rocky Mountains that make up my hometown. Whether it’s a smooth, flowy single-track in dense forests or more technical rocky sections surrounded by glowing Aspen trees, we’ve got it all. If you’ve got a helmet, plenty of water and snacks, and the proper skills or a guide to get you through the ride safely, you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable bucketlist adventure.
Hiking Piney Lake and Booth Falls
But you can also have an adventure on foot, and hiking is the most accessible and affordable outdoor activity that promises just as many panoramic breathtaking views and smiles as the more extreme pastimes. My personal favorite is Piney Lake where you can canoe across the lake and hike all around the high alpine area with the best views of the Gore Mountain Range one can get. Closer to town though are all the trails on Vail and Beaver Creek Mountain as well as Booth Falls in East Vail. You’ll see colorful wildflowers, gorgeous greenery, Rocky Mountains, and probably some wildlife as well! Remember to take only photos and leave only footprints, and with plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen, you’re guaranteed to have a stunning adventure in the sun.
Vail Farmers’ Market + Summer Concerts
Once you’ve checked off all the daytime exciting adventures off your bucket list, you can’t miss out on the Farmer’s Markets, Vail’s Free Concert Series, and Bravo! Vail Music Festival. At the Vail Farmer’s Market, there’s plenty of local vendors selling art, baked goods, fresh produce, and delicious foods. Running through the heart of Vail Village, you’ll kill two birds with one stone by exploring the iconic village while simultaneously getting a local taste of Vail. Hot Summer Nights is the free concert series where you can listen to great music at the quintessential Amphitheater in Vail, and Bravo! has some of the best classic companies and performances in the world. With incredible craft beer options, delicious restaurants of all cuisines and price ranges, and great patio ambiances, my hometown is the perfect setting to truly enjoy summer.
Stay Close to it All at The Inn at Riverwalk
In sum, your Vail Valley summer bucket list involves riding the gondola, strolling through the village, rafting and fishing, hiking and biking, eating yummy food, drinking refreshing drinks, listening to music and just soaking up as much mountain sun as humanly possible. You’ll never regret visiting my hometown in the summer, and hopefully this bucket list blog will help guide your trip to be even more enjoyable. And when you’re ready to explore it all for yourself, staying in Edwards puts you right in the heart of it close to everything, but still feeling like your own quiet corner of the Valley at the Inn at Riverwalk. Maybe I’ll even see you there!
