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Towering bronze sculpture The Edge, a landmark of the thriving Vail public-art scene.
(Photo: Courtesy of Art in Public Places, Town of Vail) |
Zip-line at 10,000 feet. Careen over Vail’s trails and views of the mountains beyond on the 1,200-foot-long zip line Vail just opened this year at its “Adventure Ridge,” accessed from the Eagle Bahn gondola ($25, or $42 if you need a lift ticket). While you’re up there, try out snow-tubing ($40) and, in summer, a climbing wall ($10) and ropes course ($49, or $66 with lift ticket). Or get the adrenaline rush of advanced skiing without actually skiing with one of the newest adventure sports to hit the powder: ski-biking. Rent your own (half-day, $50; full-day, $70) or learn the ropes with a guide ($80) who’ll take you down Vail’s empty trails in the evening, when you’re free to wipe out without crashing into anyone else.
Taste the spirits of the Rockies at the breweries and distilleries that have popped up in Vail Valley of late. Newcomer 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit Company offers tastings in its rustic, wood-paneled tasting room ($20 to taste all five drinks). Take home a Mason jar of the goods; the moonshine, made of mash bill, is knock-you-out strong, while the bourbon, from 75 percent corn, has vanilla and oak notes and goes down dangerously smooth ($25 for a jar). Then head over to Beaver Creek standby Gore Range Brewery for brews like its Bourbon Barrel-Aged Brown ($7) and smooth-drinking Powder Day Pale Ale ($4.50) (get a flight of four for $7). And beer snobs will love Crazy Mountain Brewing Company, known for niche blends like the bitter Horseshoes & Hand Grenades (made with five different kinds of malt) or the seasonal Snowcat Coffee Stout (brewed from roasted local coffee) ($4 for a pint, or $6 for a flight).
Hang up your parka and explore Vail’s art scene; the town is littered with public art and top-notch art galleries. Start with the Masters Gallery, with its collection of colorful ceramic busts by Woodrow Nash and bronze sculptures and oils by Costa Brava artist Alvar Suñol, before heading next door to the Vail International Gallery. Don’t miss the funky recycled-metal sculptures of L.A. artist Bates Wilson, or the surprising number of works by Russian Impressionists. Stop at Forre Fine Art, which houses pieces by greats like Warhol, Chagall, and Matisse. Outside, go on one of Vail’s Art Walks, free, hour-long tours of the town’s public art (every Wednesday). A guide with background in art history and the New York gallery scene will take you through works like the twice-as-large-as-life bronze skier The Edge and Lawrence Argent’s 24-foot-tall Light Tree.