Overview:
As is tradition at the Choice Symposium, Thursday afternoon and evening (August 13) are intentionally left open in the official conference schedule, offering a chance to step away from the sessions, get some fresh air, and experience something memorable in the destination itself. And there are few better places to do that than Vail, one of the great outdoor playgrounds in North America, with activities for every taste and energy level.
Some of the options listed below are completely walk-in and easy to do spontaneously (e.g., the gondola, hiking trails, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, and most of Vail Village). Others require advance reservations (e.g., fly fishing, jeep tours, horseback riding), so if any of those appeal to you, we encourage you to plan ahead.
Whatever you choose, we hope you will explore together, whether with your official Choice Symposium group or in smaller groups formed around shared interests. Some of the most memorable moments of the Choice Symposium happen outside the conference rooms (e.g., on a rollercoaster, in a canoe, or halfway up a mountain trail). Whatever you decide, we think you will find that Vail does not disappoint :-)
Vail Village:
10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company — Named after the WWII mountain troops who trained nearby, this cozy tasting room on Bridge Street offers spirit flights, barrel-aged cocktails, and whiskey merchandise.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens — The highest botanical garden in North America, set at 8,200 feet. Free admission year-round; features a children's garden, seasonal scavenger hunts, and stroller-friendly paths.
Chasing Rabbits — A 13,000-square-foot entertainment complex in Solaris Plaza with a Mediterranean restaurant, library lounge, arcade (the Rabbit Hole), and speakeasy (Moon Rabbit). Weekly DJ sets and rotating live programming.
Deca + Bol — Upscale American dining (Deca) paired with a chic 10-lane bowling alley (Bol), also in Solaris Plaza. Family-friendly hours with a livelier atmosphere after 10pm. Lanes sell out most nights — reservations recommended.
Colorado Snowsports Museum — Free admission. Traces Colorado's skiing and snowboarding history, with a dedicated exhibit on the 10th Mountain Division.
Kemo Sabe — High-end western wear shop on Bridge Street, best known for its custom hat bar where you can design and personalize your own cowboy hat.
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater — Vail's open-air concert venue, set against forested peaks. Hosts Bravo! Vail Music Festival, Vail Dance Festival, and a free Hot Summer Nights concert series throughout the summer. Thursday, August 13 at 6pm: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue + St. Paul & The Broken Bones
On the Mountain:
Scenic Gondola Ride — Ride Gondola One from Vail Village or the Eagle Bahn Gondola from Lionshead up to Eagles Nest (10,350 ft.) for panoramic mountain views, a scenic overlook deck, and casual dining at the top. Alix and Amit recommend the hike between the two gondolas on top of the mountain, but don't bring a stroller ;-)
Forest Flyer Alpine Coaster — Vail's signature mountain coaster winds 3,400 feet down through the forest at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, part of the Epic Discovery activity complex.
On-Mountain Hiking — More than 35 miles of trails for all skill levels, accessible from both gondola tops. Download the official trail map before you go (see others in the Resources section below).
Mountain Biking — Over 18 miles of mountain bike trails accessed via gondola. Bikes are available to rent at True North, the Hythe's retail shop; a bike haul ticket is required to bring your bike up on the lift.
Exploring a little further (car required):
Vail Valley Anglers — Premier fly fishing guide service and fly shop on the Eagle River in Edwards. Full- and half-day guided trips available. (~12 miles)
Nova Guides — Full-service adventure outfitter offering guided fly fishing, Jeep tours, ATV and side-by-side rentals, and archery at historic Camp Hale. Hotel pickup available on request. (~15 miles)
4 Eagle Ranch — A working ranch in Wolcott offering 4x4 Jeep tours, axe throwing, horseback riding, zip-lining, and wagon ride dinners. (~25 miles)
Alpine Arts Center — Drop-in painting and pottery studio in Edwards. Walk-in sessions for canvas painting, pottery wheel, and clay sculpture; no experience required. (~12 miles)
Piney River Ranch — A private 40-acre retreat on Piney Lake at the foot of the Gore Range. Rent canoes and paddleboards, hike to Piney Falls, or take in the views. (~12 miles)
Iron Mountain Hot Springs — 35 natural mineral pools terraced along the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs, with temperatures ranging from 98–108°F. New Sauna Summit expansion features globally inspired saunas. (~61 miles)
Vail Golf Club — 18-hole public golf course in East Vail, operated by the Vail Recreation District. Book tee times online. (~2 miles.)
Beaver Creek Golf Club — Championship golf at Beaver Creek Resort. (~8 miles)
Town of Minturn — A historic mining town with local restaurants (including the iconic Minturn Saloon), boutique shops, the free Minturn Bike Park, fly fishing access, and a Saturday summer market with live music. (~3 miles)
Edwards Riverwalk — A pedestrian shopping and dining district along the Eagle River. Features Freedom Park (playground, splash pad, skate park), Saturday Farmers' Market (~12 miles)
Good for Kids:
Discover Vail — Family-Friendly Activities — The town's official roundup of family activities, covering all ages and seasons.
Epic Discovery at Adventure Ridge — On top of Vail Mountail. Gondola-accessible outdoor playground featuring the Forest Flyer mountain coaster, zip lines, bungee trampolines, climbing wall, tubing, mini golf, and the Nature Discovery Center.
AllVail — Fun for Kids — Broader listing of kid-oriented activities across the valley.
Other Resources:
Discover Vail — The town's official visitor site, with events calendar, dining guide, and activity listings.
Visit Vail Valley — Valley-wide tourism authority covering Vail, Beaver Creek, Avon, and surrounding towns.
Vail Resort Travel Guide — Vail Mountain's official guide to on-mountain and village activities.
AllTrails — 42 hiking trails and 18 mountain biking trails with difficulty ratings and user reviews.
Vail Recreation Path — Official page for the 12-mile Gore Valley Trail running through Vail's core village areas and open space.
Trail and Mountain Maps — Explore legendary terrain at the second largest mountain resort in North America with the help of these trail maps.