Vail Valley

Colorado AvidGolfer

Welcome to Vail Valley!

Where to Stay

THE ARRABELLE
The ultimate luxury experience in chic Vail, The Arrabelle at Vail Square is modeled on quaint ‚ villages‚ like Innsbruck and Prague. Many of the luxuriously appointed 62 guest rooms and suites have fireplaces and mountain views, along with the expected high-tech  luxuries. Plush details‚ 1,000-thread-count sheets, heated marble floors in the baths‚are undeniably charming. The Arrabelle is joined by 25 one- to five-bedroom residences (which can also be rented), a full-service health spa, shops and restaurants. 675 Lionshead Pl., Vail; 866-662-7625; arrabelle.rockresorts.com

THE LODGE AT VAIL
This alpine-inspired lodge was Vail's only hotel in 1962, and thus is conveniently positioned in the heart of Vail Village next to the Vista Bahn chairlift. Regal and cozy, the 118-room lodge is home to two top restaurants, the romantic Wildflower and the Cucina Rustica. 174 East Gore Creek Dr., Vail; 877–528-7625; lodgeatvail.rockresorts.com

THE PINES LODGE SLOPESIDE AT BEAVER CREEK
Luxurious yet intimate, the lodge nestles between aspen and pine groves. The 60 cushy nonsmoking guestrooms offer custom pine furnishings and high-speed Internet access. The resort enjoys easy access to ski lifts, shopping, horseback riding and nightlife. The Grouse Mountain Grill, an AAA Four Diamond Award-winning restaurant, serves rustic American fare. 141 Scott Hill Rd., Beaver Creek; 866-605-7625; pineslodge.rockresorts.com

THE OSPREY
This magnificent boutique hotel features 45 luxury guest rooms, contemporary alpine design, a bar and lounge with a gourmet tapas-style menu, plus many other elegant services and amenities. The Osprey blends mountain high energy with swank sophistication. 10 Elk Track Ln., Beaver Creek; 866-621-7625; ospreyatbeavercreek.rockresorts.com

PARK HYATT BEAVER CREEK RESORT & SPA
In a vacation town full of luxury resort one-upmanship, the 197-room, native-stone-and-timber Park Hyatt stands apart. Try an innovative water-based treatment at the hotel’s 30,000-squarefoot Allegria Spa, which featues the village's best heated outdoor pool & four hot tubs (two are adult-only). 136 East Thomas Pl., Avon; 970-949-1234; beavercreek.hyatt.com

THE AUSTRIA HAUS

Located next to the Covered Bridge and overlooking the banks of beautiful Gore Creek, The Austria Haus offers a taste of the architecture of a warm, charming European-style ski chalet right at the base of Vail Mountain. The intimate hotel features 25 valley-view guestrooms and suites and combines exceptional guest services with a heated outdoor pool. 242 East Meadow Dr., Vail; 877-644-7625; austriahaushotel.com

Where to Play

RED SKY GOLF CLUB
With two championship golf courses spectacularly designed by Tom Fazio and Greg Norman, Red Sky Golf Club merges dramatic vistas of Vail's Back Bowls with a variety of terrain. Members and guests alternate play on the two courses. A massive ridge separating two serves as a migration corridor for deer and elk. Great care was taken to preserve the natural landscape, and both semi-private courses are registered as Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries. 1099 Red Sky Rd., Wolcott; 970-754-8400; redskygolfclub.com

BEAVER CREEK GOLF CLUB

The Beaver Creek Golf Club, designed in 1982 by noted course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., runs long and narrow through the pines, challenging fairways and its stunning scenery. It is exclusively available to Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead lodging guests and club members. 103 Offerson Rd., Beaver Creek; 970-845-5775; beavercreek.com

EAGLE VAIL GOLF CLUB
Affordable yet equally as beautiful as many of the area's best private clubs, Eagle Vail inhabits a verdant former ranch. Its scenic layout crisscrosses the Eagle River on the front side and scales a mountainside while weaving through lodgepole pines, fir and aspens on the back. Best of all, the 6,836-yard course is conveniently located minutes from Vail and Beaver Creek. 431 Eagle Dr., Avon; 970-949-5267; eaglevailgolfclub.com

VAIL GOLF CLUB
Built 50 years ago, the first course in the Vail Valley presents golfers with beautiful scenery amidst the White River National Forest, highlighted by views of the Gore Mountain Range. The generally flat, tree-lined fairways and medium-sized greens are both well-protected by numerous bunkers and beaver ponds; Gore Creek meanders through the layout. 1778 Vail Valley Dr., Vail; 970-479-2260; vailgolfclub.net

EAGLE RANCH GOLF CLUB
Nestled in the center in Brush Creek Valley, Eagle Ranch Golf Club sits at an elevation of 6,600 feet above sea level. Arnold Palmer designed the layout, which includes an interesting variety of mountain and links-style holes. There is water on most of them and strategically placed bunkers throughout. The breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains will test your concentration. Eagle Ranch was honored as the Best Mountain Course in Colorado for under a $100 green fee by Colorado AvidGolfer magazine. 0050 Lime Park Dr., Eagle; 866-328-3232; eagleranchgolf.com

GYPSUM CREEK
Pete Dye designed the 18-hole Gypsum Creek Golf Club, nestled in the Gypsum Valley. The fully public course opened in 1997 as Cotton Ranch Golf Club, a semi-private country club; in 2010, it was purchased by the town of Gypsum and subsequently renamed. Featuring two distinct nines – the front climbs 200 feet up a rocky mesa and is more target golf than on the back, which rolls through a valley; Gypsum Creek offers the longest golf season in the Eagle Valley. 530 Cotton Ranch Dr., Gypsum; 970-524-6200; gypsumcreekgolf.com

What to Do

The Vail Valley's range of challenging and relaxing summer activities far outnumbers those taking place during winter. For hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers and off-highway vehicles, miles of trials and backcountry roads are a great way to explore. Nearby rivers present boating opportunities and great lessons in fly-fishing. Jeep or horseback adventures range from easy rides to overnight camping or rounding up cattle. Rock climbing and hot air balloons offer more excitement. Of course, golfers of all abilities find the area's world-class courses the perfect places to play and relax. A 5,289-acre playground of unbeatable opportunities, Vail sets the standard for vast, matchless terrain, luxury accommodations with every conceivable comfort and amenity, and real estate and off-mountain activities.

Shopping In Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek's cozy village encompasses numerous high-end art galleries and a variety of merchants offering everything from jewelry to outdoor gear. The pedestrian-only shopping areas provide a pleasant outdoor shopping experience.

Shopping/Dining In Vail Square

Over 33,000-square feet of restaurants and  unique boutiques and galleries are found at the renowned Vail Square. vail.com