The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Vail in the Fall

You return to ski there year after year, but what about the other seasons in Vail? Vail may be jam packed in the winter, but in the fall, mountain towns have what is known as ​“shoulder season.” This time of year is the perfect time to get better acquainted with your favorite ski town, and Vail is no exception. 

Image Credit: Vail Resorts

So, what are the top 5 reasons to visit Vail in the fall? We’re breaking them down. 

1. Save on Lodging

Shoulder season means much fewer visitors, but at the end of the day, hotels still need to make money. It’s reported that fall visitors can save up to 45% on lodging in Vail. 

2. Attend Great Events

Oktoberfest celebrations are well documented in many mountain towns across the country. In Vail, you can attend Oktoberfest in the month of September. What’s more? Vail also has a Fall Wine & Food Classic during September. As the title suggests, you can dig into a variety of unique wines at this event, with many of them coming from the Southern Hemisphere. 

3. Hike to Your Hearts Content

Wondering what to do on the peaks of Vail sans snow? Vail features over 200 miles of trails and sells a 7 day hiking pass to visitors. If you’re lucky, you may even see wildlife. 

4. Pick Any Seat at the Bar

Have you found yourself waiting in line for Apres at Garfinkel’s and the like? That won’t be a problem in shoulder season. Rub elbows with locals and enjoy talking to the bartender for as long as you want. 

5. Hit up Vail Village

Utilize all of the open space on the very uncrowded and FREE bus, and hit the Village. On Sundays through mid-October, you can check out the farmer’s market. In the evenings, don’t worry about dinner reservations and planning ahead, because you will be able to walk into pretty much any restaurant and get a seat. Bonus: many of the restaurants will feature discounts in the shoulder season. 

Image Credit: The Lion Vail 

Looking for even more information on Vail? Before planning a visit for ski season, be sure to check out our Vail local guide.

References:

www​.vail​.com