Ice, Ice, Baby! 10 Cool Things to Do in Vail Valley Without Skiing

Written By Sarah Battles

The Vail Valley might be known for its slopes, but who says you need skis to have a flurry of fun? If you’d rather let the pros tackle the powder, we’ve got your ultimate guide to a snow-tastic winter getaway—no skis required!

1. Slide Into Local Winter Festivals

Winter in the Vail Valley is packed with events that celebrate the magic of the season:

  • Beaver Creek Tree Lighting & Ice Spectacular
    Date: November 29, 2024
    Start the season with this "lit" event—complete with skating, ornament painting, Santa sightings, and a tree lighting that’ll make your Instagram sparkle.

  • Lionshead Tree Lighting
    Date: November 30, 2024
    Glide into the holiday spirit with a free 15-minute exhibition by champion figure skaters at the Arrabelle Ice Rink! Enjoy live music, dazzling spins, and maybe even a visit from a jolly, red-clad, bearded VIP. (Hint: He knows if you’ve been naughty or nice!)

  • Smile with Santa
    Dates: November 30, 2024 - December 23, 2024
    Get ready to sleigh your holiday traditions with a visit to the one and only jolly man in red! Families and kiddos can Claus it up and soak in the holly jolly vibes.  Best part? Santa’s got your pics covered—choose from digital delivery (straight from the North Pole Cloud ) or printed onsite for instant reindeer-ready memories. Don’t miss this Santa-tastic photo op—it’s snow joke!

  • Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup
    Dates: December 12–15, 2024
    Watch the pros zoom down the slopes while you sip on beer, soak up live music and explore along "Birds of Prey Way." Après-ski isn’t just for skiers, after all.

  • Vail’s Kris Kringle Market
    Dates: December 6–15, 2024
    Strolling through Vail Village feels like stepping into a snow globe! Shop a market sprinkled with holiday cheer, decked out in greenery and European flair.  From one-of-a-kind, made-in-Colorado treasures to gifts so perfect they’ll sleigh your holiday shopping list, this is where the magic happens.

  • New Year's Eve Winter Circus
    Date: December 31, 2024
    Ring in the New Year with aerialists, fire dancers, and jugglers. Bonus: You don’t have to juggle skis! Fireworks cap it all off in style.

2. Dash Through the Snow on a Sleigh Ride

Add a dash of romance (or adventure) to your trip.

  • 4 Eagle Ranch Sleigh Rides: Get whisked through Colorado’s countryside by majestic draft horses, then enjoy a hearty ranch dinner with live entertainment. It’s rustic, festive, and full of Wild West vibes!

  • Bearcat Stables Sleigh Rides: Glide through peaceful, snowy meadows wrapped in blankets, then cozy up by a crackling fire for a gourmet meal. Quiet, elegant, and oh-so-cozy.

3. Explore Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing

Trade skis for snowshoes and leave your footprints in Beaver Creek’s winter wonderland.

  • McCoy Park
    This serene area offers 19 kilometers of groomed and rustic trails with stunning mountain views. Equipment rentals and guided tours are available at the Beaver Creek Nordic Center.

  • Vail Nordic Center
    Just a short drive away, the Vail Nordic Center offers over 10 miles of snowshoeing and cross-country trails, as well as a warming hut for cozy breaks.

  • Walking Mountains Science Center
    This nonprofit offers guided snowshoe tours in Avon that combine outdoor adventure with education about the local environment.

4. Mush Your Way to Adventure with Dog Sledding

Why let skiers have all the speed when you can have a pack of adorable huskies do the work?

  • Mountain Musher Dog Sled Rides
    Zoom through aspen forests and cozy up with homemade pumpkin bread and hot cocoa. Who needs a chalet when you’ve got this?

  • Alpine Adventures Dogsledding
    In Leadville, you can channel your inner musher and even drive the sled. Nothing says "holiday card" like a selfie with a pack of happy pups.

5. Power Through the Powder on a Snowmobile

Not all winter adventures involve gliding downhill—some are all about the rush of horsepower and fresh powder.

  • Sage Outdoor Adventures Snowmobiling
    Carve your way through Colorado’s backcountry on a snowmobile, weaving through pristine trails and wide-open meadows. With expert guides leading you to jaw-dropping vistas, it’s a winter adrenaline fix that’s as cool as the snow beneath your ride. Buckle up—this is snowmobiling at its peak!

6. Treat Yo’Self at Luxurious Spas

Because relaxing is an extreme sport too.

7. Lace Up Your Skates

Why ski when you can skate?

  • Beaver Creek Ice Rink
    Located in the heart of Beaver Creek Village, this outdoor rink is open daily from noon to 9 PM. Join themed nights like Disco Skate Night for extra fun.

  • Nottingham Lake Ice Rink
    Skate lakeside in Avon for a picturesque setting that screams "Hallmark movie vibes." Rentals available if you forget your skates.

  • Vail Square Ice Rink
    Located in Lionshead Village, this rink combines twinkling lights, cozy shops, and all the holiday feels. Perfect for a romantic spin or a family-friendly glide.

8. Take Your Views to New Heights with a Scenic Gondola Ride

Get your head in the clouds without the hassle of skiing.

  • Centennial Express Lift
    Relax and soak in panoramic views of Beaver Creek’s snowy peaks. You can call it a lift for your soul.

  • Eagle Bahn Gondola in Vail
    Head to Eagle’s Nest for stunning vistas, dining options, and snowshoe trails. It’s a ride worth braving the altitude.

9. Savor Culinary Delights

  • Beano’s Cabin
    Reach this iconic restaurant by sleigh for an unforgettable dining experience in a rustic mountain setting.

  • Matsuhisa Vail
    Dive into a sea of flavors at this upscale Japanese fusion spot. With dishes that are off the hook, it's a reel treat for your taste buds.

  • La Tour Restaurant & Bar
    Experience French cuisine that’s the crème de la crème. This elegant eatery serves up dishes so good, they’ll have you saying, "Oui, oui!”

  • Mountain Standard
    Enjoy a rustic yet refined dining experience where open-fire cooking takes center stage. It's a meal that's well-done in every sense.

  • Game Creek Club
    Accessible by snowcat or gondola, this European-style chalet offers a menu that's game-changing. It's a dining adventure that's worth the trek.

10. Shop and Unwind in Beaver Creek Village

No skis? No problem. Retail therapy and gourmet eats await.

Whether you’re gliding across an ice rink, being pulled by huskies, or soaking in spa bliss, the Vail Valley promises unforgettable winter memories—no skis required! Ready to plan your winter escape? We’d love to host you. Click here to book now.

Sarah Battles
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