The town of Vail may just be one of the best places to live in the United States, if not the entire world. This small mountain town has more going for it than just one of the best ski resorts in the world, though that is certainly a big draw. Vail also has great weather, fabulous views, great shopping, restaurants, nightlife and many attractions that have nothing whatsoever to do with skiing.
If you are asking yourself why you should buy a house in Vail, you are asking the wrong question. The question you should be asking is why shouldn’t you buy a house in Vail?
Views to Die For
Vail is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It is 8,150 feet above sea level. The White River National Forest surrounds Vail and Gore Creek flows right through the heart of town. Vail Mountain rises behind the town. All of these factors combine to give Vail views that can be rivaled by very few places on Earth.
A Picturesque Town
Vail is not just any ordinary town. Too many American towns look just alike. They have the same type of shopping centers, the same type of housing developments and the same generic look. Vail could not be any more different. This picturesque town more closely resembles a quaint village in the Alps than anything in America. If you want the charm of the Old World without the travel, Vail is the town for you.
Location, Location, Location
Denver is within easy driving distance. Interstate 70 is the only major road that runs to or from Vail but Highway 6 and Highway 24 both connect to I-70 near Vail. The Eagle County Airport is a short drive away. You can easily drive or fly to your home all year round.
Great Weather
Vail’s alpine climate gives it cold winters and wonderfully cool summers. The winter cold is perfect for all manner of winter sports, including skiing of course, and the town gets enough snowfall to make certain you can participate in your favorite winter sports for about half the year.
Likewise, summers are never too hot in Vail. The average highs in July and August are in the mid-70s. The town rarely gets above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Mountain breezes also help keep summers nice and cool.
Adventure Central
You are probably aware of Vail’s reputation as a ski resort. That might even be the main reason you are interested in the town. Vail Ski Resort is the second largest ski resort on the North American Continent. The resort has 5,289 acres available for skiing and rises nearly 3,500 feet in elevation above the town. There are almost 200 trails and 33 ski lifts to help get you there.
There is far more fun to be had in Vail than just skiing, however. National Geographic listed Vail among the best adventure towns in the world in 2009. During the winter when you want to stay off the slopes, you can check out some of the best ice-climbing sites in the world. The East Vail Chutes will test the mettle of even experienced ice-climbers. There’s also snowmobiling, snowshoeing and hiking. If you want to stay closer to town, you can go ice skating or take a ride in a sleigh.
The fun doesn’t stop when the weather warms up. The melting snow reveals some of the best hiking and mountain biking trails in the country. People come from all over to do trail running and horseback riding. Fishing and hunting are also popular. Vail is also the jumping-off point for some of the greatest white-water rafting and kayaking you can find.
As if all of these things were not enough, you can check out the golf courses, the spas and the tennis courts whenever you need to unwind.
Dining
When you are not busy hitting the slopes or working on your golf game, you are going to want to find a good place to eat, and Vail has some of the highest rated restaurants in the world. A number of famous chefs call Vail home, including Kelly Liken. Some of the best restaurants in Vail include Sweet Basil, La Tour Restaurant, Montauk Seafood Grill and Osaki’s Sushi and Japanese.
There are restaurants in Vail to suit every taste imaginable. If you prefer small diners and pizzerias to fine dining establishments, Vail has plenty of those to offer. You should check out Pazzo’s Pizzeria and The Little Diner, among others.
Shopping and Nightlife
Shopping in Vail is not limited to groceries and ski equipment. Literally hundreds of tiny shops, boutiques and galleries are located in Vail Village and Lionshead. When it is time to head out for a night on the town, you can choose from many different bars and music hotspots.
Culture
Vail offers cultural events as well as sports. The town is home to several different music festivals, a dance festival and a film festival. The Colorado Ski Museum and the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens are also located in town. The Vail Nature Center offers programs for both adults and children.
Schools
If you have children and are considering moving to Vail full-time, you do not have to worry about the quality of the schools. The Eagle County School District is well-ranked and even has a skiing program for middle and high school students. Vail also has a number of private schools. The Colorado Mountain College is located in town.
Transportation
You will not need your car to get around town. Part of the town is car-free and the free shuttle bus system will get you just about anywhere you want to go within minutes.
Vail is truly one of the best American towns. If you have made the decision to purchase a house in Vail, contact Eagle Valley Realty today.
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