Skiing and snowboarding may immediately come to mind when considering a Vail, Colorado, winter vacation. But off-the-slopes offerings can be just as fun and easier on the budget, especially for a family getaway.
Boasting recent recommendations from Travel + Leisure and USA Today, the Antlers at Vail hotel is always on board for helping families make the most of their Colorado mountain-town stay. While the hotel offers complimentary ski valet and steps-away access to Vail’s family-friendly Eagle Bahn gondola, the Antlers team – including General Manager Magda King, a mother of three – is equally eager to share favorite ideas for non-skiers.
Snowshoeing is a fun-for-all-ages way to explore the snowy scenery, and this winter the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is offering self-guided snowshoe tours through March 31, 2024. Guests can trek the garden’s pathways – an easy free bus ride from the Antlers – and discover the adaptations that allow plants and animals to survive in the high altitude’s freezing temperatures and snow. Visitors can bring their own snowshoes (check at the Antlers front desk for complimentary guest loaners) or rent them from the Betty Ford Education Center for just $10.
Or check out the nonprofit global stewards at the Walking Mountains Science Center for an array of activities and events, including a free guided snowshoe tour that meets atop Vail Mountain at the Eagle Bahn Gondola, Wednesday-Saturday at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. (preregistration required).
