Driving To Vail For The First Time: What We Learned (Plus The Best Things To Do Beyond Skiing)
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
Thinking about visiting Vail, Colorado without skiing? Here’s a first-hand travel guide covering the drive from Denver, road safety tips, what to expect, and the best things to do in Vail in spring.
We Went To Vail Just To See What The Hype Was All About
We didn’t go to Vail to ski. We just happened to be in Denver and went because we heard so much about it. How beautiful it was, how popular it is, and going there is a great way to see more of the majestic mountains Colorado has to offer.
So we made the drive from Denver to Vail (about 1 hour and 40 minutes), and what we experienced surprised us in both good and “you should definitely know this ahead of time” ways.
If you’re planning a trip to Vail, especially your first one, here’s exactly what to expect.
The Drive From Denver To Vail: Beautiful But Not To Be Taken Lightly
Let me start here, because this part matters more than I realized.
The drive along I-70 is absolutely stunning! There are mountains everywhere, some snow-capped even in spring, winding roads, and scenic overlooks that make you want to pull over every few minutes.
But it’s also a drive you need to respect.
To My Surprise There Were:
Steep inclines, declines and road grade ratings (these ratings measure hill steepness)
Drop-offs in certain areas
Long downhill stretches (with brake check areas)
Weather conditions that can change quickly (although the day we traveled the weather stayed in the mid 70's)
There are even designated areas for cooling your brakes, which tells you everything you need to know.
Important Driving Tips:
Make sure your brakes are in excellent condition
Check your tire tread and pressure
Be aware that some vehicles are required to use chains in certain weather conditions
Always check conditions before heading out
You can check:
Vail Official Tourism Site
Town of Vail Official Website
Colorado Department of Transportation (for road conditions, traction laws, and travel alerts)
💡 Pro Tip: Search “I-70 mountain corridor conditions CDOT” before your trip. This gives real-time updates on weather, traction laws, and road safety requirements.
The Tunnels & Scenic Stops
One of the coolest parts of the drive?
You’ll pass through the iconic
Eisenhower–Johnson Memorial Tunnel (the longer one)
Veterans Memorial Tunnel (shorter but still memorable)
There are also multiple scenic pull-offs where you can stop, take photos, and just take in the views.
The drive alone is very much part of the experience not just a way to get there. The mountains are absolutely breathtaking.
First Impressions of Vail In April – Off Season
We visited the second week of April, and this ended up being a huge advantage.
The slopes at Vail Ski Resort were closed so:
There were far fewer crowds, some of the villages were mainly empty
The roads were clear and there was no major traffic
The weather was mild so I didn’t even need a jacket
It was peaceful, quiet, relaxed, and much more accessible than we expected.
7 Awesome Things To Do If You’re Not Skiing
1. Walking Through Vail Village
The first thing that stood out? The architecture.
The buildings have a European/Dutch-inspired look, with charming details, cobblestone paths, and a very walkable layout.
It doesn’t feel like a typical U.S. destination. There is East Vail and West Vail and there are two main Villages which are Vail and Lionshead so make sure to check them both out.
2. Free Transportation and Parking
There is plenty of garage parking plus we rode the local bus system, and it was all completely free. It takes you from one village area to another all the way down toward areas like The Hythe, a Luxury Collection Resort, the library, additional shopping areas and the medical center. This makes it incredibly easy to explore without worrying about parking.
3. Visiting The Vail History Museum
One of our favorite unexpected stops was the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame and there's no admission fee to explore. It gave a lot of context to how Vail became what it is today, which made the whole experience more meaningful.
4. Exploring The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
This was another highlight.
Peaceful
Beautifully maintained
Perfect for walking and photos
If you like nature at all, don’t skip this area.
5. Walking Trails, Creeks & Nature Everywhere
There are:
Walking paths
Creeks running through town
Tons of places to sit and relax, especially in the Botanical Garden
It’s one of those places where you can slow down and just really enjoy being outside.
6. Parks, Playgrounds & Open Space
You will find:
A track area
Kids playground
Open spaces for relaxing
An Education Center
Yeti's (yes Yeti's, do a scavenger hunt and see if you can find all six of them)
It’s very family-friendly, even outside of ski season. It's a full experience.
7. Restaurants, Shops & Lodges
Even without skiing:
Restaurants are open
Shops are active
Lodges look incredible and picturesque (even if you’re just walking through)
Great for pictures and sightseeing and remember to pick up a map at the Vistors Center (next to the museum) which gives a list of all the shops and villages.
Is Vail Worth Visiting Without Skiing?
Short answer: Yes, for a different reason than you might think
You’re not going for adrenaline you’re going for:
Scenery
Atmosphere
Relaxation
A unique mountain town experience
The drive plus the destination together is what makes the trip memorable.
What I Made Sure To Do Before Arriving In Vail
Checked the road conditions closely ahead of time (the weather was super nice when we went however snow was in the forecast for three days after we left)
Arrived and left during the day making sure we would arrive at both places with plenty of daylight (traveling at night and tackling the twisting roads, inclines and declines would be very intimidating)
Next Time I Would
Plan for scenic stops along the drive
Stay overnight to experience Vail at a slower pace, however you can take in all of the scenery and shops in one day if you visit during off season
Final Thoughts: The Drive Is Part Of The Experience
If there’s one thing I’d tell anyone planning a trip to Vail, it’s this:
Don’t underestimate the drive but don’t miss it either. Yes, there are precautions. Yes, you need to be prepared. But the views, the tunnels, the mountains, and the overall experience?
Completely worth it.
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