Food, Fun and Sun in the Vail Valley

Women know the three S’s to an awesome vacation: sunshine, spa and shopping. Combine the two by swim-suiting up and lounging at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa’s sparkling outdoor pool (or one of five hot tubs), followed by a treatment in the resort’s Allegria Spa and some power shopping in pedestrian-only Beaver Creek Village, where stores filled with clothes, shoes, art and souvenirs await. beavercreek.hyatt.com

Two things to know about Vail Village: One, it’s absolutely ideal for staging festivals, which it does throughout the summer in incredibly fun fashion; two, this sumptuous, pedestrian-friendly town is a veritable treasure trove of outdoor stores and boutiques that offer unique apparel, jewelry, sporting goods, kid stuff, souvenirs and art. Plus, a free bus to nearby Lionshead Village provides additional credit card-melting opportunities.

Valley Victuals

Open Table, Urban Spoon, Gayot and Trip Advisor all agree: Sweet Basil is a superb dining experience. The line-out-the-door bistro also has earned accolades from Wine Spectator, Fodor’s Travel, Zagat Survey, Gourmet, the New York Times and The Denver Post. Gourmands revere Executive Chef Paul Anders, whose culinary skills were honed at the Brown Palace Hotel and The Broadmoor. sweetbasilvail.com

Decking It Out

Seek out Pepi’s Restaurant & Bar, the intimate fine-dining eatery that’s renowned for its luscious Austrian cuisine and mouthwatering elk, lamb and veal dishes. Pepi’s offers live music every day and the warm-weather patio—Vail’s largest outdoor deck—is a favored lunchtime locale. Open since 1964, the award-winning restaurant is centrally located and is just steps from Vail Mountain, great shopping and the Gerald Ford Amphitheater. Reserve a table well in advance. pepis.com

It’s All That

In nearby Edwards, the 56-room Lodge & Spa at Cordillera is regarded as one of the world’s most luxurious retreats. The spa is sublime, and foodies thrill to the resort’s twin restaurants (including the amazing Mirador), which readers of Condé Nast Traveler gave the state’s top ranking for superior cuisine and service. cordilleralodge.com

The Right Angle

Fly fishing in Beaver Creek is a Nikon-prompting experience that’s ideal for men, women and kids. Wet- and dry-fly opportunities for rainbows, browns, cutthroats and brookies await at Gore Creek, Eagle River, Colorado River and other freestone rivers and tailwaters. Fully licensed guides and schools are readily available, many offering more than 30 years of expertise. Get hooked on casting, catching and releasing.

Vote for Gore

If you bag one of the Gore Range’s behemoth peaks (or even if you don’t), celebrate at the Gore Range Brewery, a favored locals hangout in Edwards that is beloved for its casual atmosphere, burgers and hand-crafted brews. (Spring for the lager steamed mussels or coconut and curry shrimp, accompanied by a thirst-slacking draft of Fly Fisher Red Ale.) gorerangebrewery.com

Good Music

Scheduled in September, the Rendezvous Music Festival at Beaver Creek is a unique and intimate two-day experience. The RMF blends outstanding entertainment, food and wine to create a one-of-a-kind event in Beaver Creek, one of the world’s most vibrant and compelling mountain settings. Included on this year’s playbill is Jackopierce (Jack O’Neill and Cary Pierce), a dynamic, acoustic-steeped duo that has sold 500,000 records and toured three continents, nine countries and 44 states. rendezvousbc.com

Cocktail Hour

One of the best travel tips is follow the locals. In this case, they’ll lead you to the Lobby Bar at the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain. Ranked tops by residents, the Lobby Bar is hands-down the craziest happy hour scene in the Vail Valley, offering handcrafted cocktails, drink specials and live music in a step-lively atmosphere. Also on tap: Colorado microbrews, an extensive wine list and a nice variety of small plates and appetizers. The Lobby Bar at the Westin is Beaver Creek’s best après-anything place. westinriverfrontbeavercreek.com

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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