What to do in Vail, CO, when it's not ski season

Preethi Chandrasekhar (@eagertravele) didn’t grow up spending time in the outdoors but has since made it her mission to “demystify” the experience for others. During a weekend trip to Vail in late summer, she discovered there’s a lot more to the resort town than skiing. From glamping and glam picnics to oxygen bar spa treatments and hikes with epic mountain views, read on for her favorite finds.

After flying into Denver International Airport and making the two-hour drive to Vail, you might find yourself wondering if you’ve somehow teleported to Europe. The small Colorado mountain town was inspired by the Bavarian villages found throughout Germany and much of the architecture and cuisine match that aesthetic.

Drop your bags at the upscale Sonnenalp Hotel—a Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best winner—and head to the in-house Bully Ranch Restaurant for Southwestern fare like wild boar green chili nachos and truffle tater tots. Then, treat yourself to some R&R at the Sonnenalp Spa. The luxury oasis has sauna and steam rooms, multiple hot tubs, and a connected indoor/outdoor pool that’s heated year-round. But the most unique feature is an oxygen bar focused on combatting the effects of altitude (Vail sits at 8,150 feet above sea level). Choose your “flavor” (peppermint is a go-to) and enjoy the benefits of a 10–30 minute treatment.

Once rejuvenated, walk to Vail Village, where cute shops, restaurants, and bars abound. Dinner is at Sweet Basil, a hub for contemporary American fusion cuisine. Order the kampachi crudo for next-level flavor or the whipped feta, which comes encased in a crispy flatbread that has to be cracked with a spoon. The presentation makes for a great Instagram moment, but, rest assured, the appetizer—which is topped with rosemary powder and kalamata olive honey—is just as good as it looks.

Start your morning at The Little Diner with the house specialty: pannekoeken, an airy, German-style pancake that is akin to a souffle. From the Travelers' Choice Award–winning diner, it’s not far to the base of Vail Mountain where you can take a scenic gondola ride to the top. The views alone are worth the trip, but the summit is also the starting point for several hikes, including the Fireweed Trail. The mellow trek provides stunning views of wildflowers and the surrounding Gore mountain range. Take another gondola, the Eagle Bahn, back down from the trail’s endpoint or opt to retrace your steps and return to Gondola One for a total of 2.1 miles round trip. For a slightly longer hike try the 2.6-mile Meadows Loop or, for an even bigger challenge, the eight-mile Berrypicker Trail.

In the afternoon, visit the 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company tasting room for a barrel-aged cocktail or spirit flight. The Alpenglow Cordial—with notes of sage, peach and vanilla—is not to be missed. Then, you’re in for another treat at Alpenrose Vail, a cozy chalet-style restaurant with German, Austrian, and Swiss delicacies like cheese fondue and quinoa rosti.

If you can, make it an early dinner so you’ll have plenty of time (and daylight) to pick up some breakfast supplies and head down the unpaved road to Piney River Ranch, a glamping retreat located 45-minutes north of Vail and your home for the next two nights.

Rise early and you could be rewarded with wildlife sightings (Piney River Ranch is a prime moose habitat), reflections of mountain peaks on a glassy lake, and your pick of a paddleboard or canoe when the first-come, first-served rental shop opens at 9 a.m. Take your vessel of choice out for a spin on Piney Lake, try your hand at fishing, or hike to a nearby waterfall.

For a different type of outdoor experience, book lunch with Picnic Vail. The company specializes in creating over-the-top picnics in places like the Travelers' Choice Award–winning Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and the setup is as beautiful as the setting—picture a low table with pillows, blankets, a charcuterie board, conversation cards, and even a Polaroid camera to capture the fun. Pamela Davis, Picnic Vail’s founder, is a fourth-generation Vail resident whose grandfather built Vail Ski Resort.

For more local history, check out the Colorado Snow Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. The donation-based museum details the history of skiing and snowboarding, as well as Vail’s role in training the 10th Mountain Division, a WWII army unit that fought in the mountains of Italy.

For your final night, take your pick from the many Vail Village restaurants. Travelers' Choice Award winne Annapurna, serving Nepali and Indian cuisine, is ideal if you want to play it by ear, as it's walk-ins only. Order the butter chicken and you won’t be disappointed.

Before heading to the airport in the morning, stop off at Big Bear Bistro for strong coffee, delicious crepes and a quaint outdoor patio perfect for soaking in the mountain air one last time.