Pondering over ‘What to Do in Vail in November Besides Skiing?’ You’re in for a treat! While Vail’s snowy slopes might be the talk of the town, a Vail getaway during November offers a plethora of other enchanting activities. From serene gondola rides capturing the beauty of autumn sunsets, to exploring cozy cafes and local artisans’ markets, Vail in November is a mosaic of memorable moments waiting to be discovered.
Go Ice Skating
Vail offers many great winter activities, and one of the top ones is ice skating. Outdoor skating rinks can be found both in Lionshead and Vail village; Lionshead’s can be found close to The Arrabelle at Vail Square four-star hotel; it features lights strung throughout it for hours of skating fun daily! Rental skates are also available if necessary.
Nova Guides offer thrilling snowmobile tours in Colorado’s scenic back country that will show off Colorado’s breathtaking natural beauty while teaching you how to operate one independently on future visits. Their guides will even show you how.
An ideal way to tire the kids out is taking them on a sled ride, or visiting Adventure Ridge which features snow tubing and an alpine coaster ride. There are a few hills around the mountain where sled rides can provide fast fun or you could opt for one of its snowtubing runs or take advantage of snowtubing and tubing at Adventure Ridge – you don’t want your child getting too tired out!
Go Sledding
Vail offers plenty of attractions besides skiing even outside ski season. Check out its charming mountain villages such as Vail and Lionshead; these charming European-influenced mountain villages feel like something out of a Christmas card and boast boutique shops selling designer Western wear as well as the latest winter athleisure clothing.
Bring the kids sledding at one of the local parks, such as Big Horn Park in East Vail or Ellefson Park in West Vail – it’s cheap, fun and provides a good workout! Or if you prefer postholing (walking through deep snow while sinking up to knee-level or even chest depth with boots on) as that can also be fun but be very cautious about postholeing as that can be extremely dangerous!
Ice climbing is another thrilling winter activity, and numerous companies provide guided trips. Or try your hand at ice fishing at lower-altitude reservoirs where portable huts have been set up by companies. Finally, adventure seekers may want to ride Adventure Ridge’s Forest Flyer mountain coaster for an adrenaline rush!
Go Snowshoeing
No matter if you’re pregnant, injured, or simply not keen on speed skiing (which is perfectly okay!), Vail offers plenty of alternatives. Snowshoeing provides a fantastic alternative that gets away from ski resort crowds while giving access to trails only accessible with snowshoes.
There are plenty of locations around town where you can rent snowshoes, but we suggest checking out the Winter Recreation Area on top of Vail Pass for optimal snowshoeing experiences. With 55,000 acres to enjoy snowshoeing alone as well as cross-country skiers and snowmobilers utilizing it as well, be prepared to share the trail.
If you don’t already own snowshoes, check out the Vail Nordic Center located two miles east of town in its Golf Club Clubhouse for rentals. Explore its educational exhibits including Play Wall with physical and cognitive learning; builder boards which encourage problem-solving; hyperbolic funnel which models planetary motion; or hyperbolic funnel which models space travel – this experience gives a taste of mountain life without taking on slopes!
Go Tubing
No matter your level, Vail offers slopes to meet every skier’s skill level – beginners to experienced. Their mountain peaks boast impressive groomed runs and epic back bowls – the ideal place for you to begin skiing adventures!
White River National Forest provides an exciting way to experience winter wilderness, with several guide companies offering snowmobile tours for an unforgettable journey.
Sledding can be a fantastic way to enjoy winter. Many hotels rent or lend out sleds as rentals or even lend one for free, ensuring a thrilling sledding experience for all guests.
Vail’s end of ski season also marks the start of many exciting summer activities, including festivals, food and wine tastings, concerts, golf and much more. Shopping opportunities at stores such as Vail Village’s Center Ice Rink or Lululemon’s flagship location with all their winter athleisure gear is abundant as is dining options such as Game Creek restaurant perched atop one of Vail Mountain’s legendary back bowls.
Go Ski Biking
Vail offers more than just skiing and snowboarding during wintertime; take a guided snowshoe or snowmobile tour, go ice fishing at lower altitude reservoirs with Vail Valley Anglers, or even try fat tire biking over snow!
If you prefer something more leisurely, take the gondola ride up the mountain and sip a coffee at its summit before wandering the iconic villages of Vail Village and Lionshead; designed to emulate European ski towns that inspired its founders during their travels, both feel like something out of a fairy tale!
Shop and dine on cobblestone pedestrian streets brimming with shops and restaurants, stopping by Lululemon for all of your winter athleisure needs at their flagship location in Dobson Ice Arena. Additionally, enjoy watching Vail Yeti hockey games while sipping cold beers and snacking on stadium snacks during Dobson Yeti hockey matches at Dobson.
