Nova Guides, 7088 U.S. 24, Red Cliff
Snowmobiling at Camp Hale
Tours of 2 to 6 hours from a lodge at Camp Hale, the World War II training site of the 10th Mountain Division, on trails reaching near 12,500 feet.
From $139, as listed on 2026-11-08
Things to do in Vail in winter
Beyond the slopes, Vail in winter means snowmobiling (Nova Guides, 7088 U.S. 24, Red Cliff), dog sledding (Alpine Adventures, Rancho Escondido, 21767 Hwy 24 West, Leadville), sleigh rides (Bearcat Stables, 2701 Squaw Creek Road, Edwards), and hot springs (Glenwood Hot Springs Resort).
Vail is built around two pedestrian villages, Vail Village and Lionshead, each with a gondola up the mountain and an outdoor ice rink. The Vail Nordic Center grooms 17 km of ski track and 10 km of snowshoe trail, and the Colorado Snowsports Museum in town is free. Sleigh ride dinners, dog sledding and snowmobile tours operate on ranches and trails elsewhere in the Vail Valley.
❄️ Vail: 0.0" next 7 days
🛷 Snowmobiling
🐕 Dog sledding
🐴 Sleigh rides
♨️ Hot springs
⛸️ Ice skating
🥾 Snowshoeing
⛷️ Cross-country skiing
🚡 Scenic rides
🏛️ Museums and history
Snowmobiling
Dog sledding
Alpine Adventures, Rancho Escondido, 21767 Hwy 24 West, Leadville
Dog sledding
Tours cover 5.5 miles with about an hour on the trail behind teams of 10 to 12 dogs. The company also runs a rescue facility for retired sled dogs.
From $195 per person (group tour, ages 9 and up), as listed on 2026-11-08
Sleigh rides
Bearcat Stables, 2701 Squaw Creek Road, Edwards
Sleigh rides at Bearcat Stables
Thirty-minute horse-drawn rides on a historic ranch in Edwards, about 25 minutes from Vail. Afternoon rides include campfire s'mores, and a sleigh ride and dinner option is booked by phone.
From $48.15 (sleigh ride), from $155.15 (sleigh ride and dinner), as listed on 2026-11-08
4 Eagle Ranch, 4098 Hwy 131, Wolcott
Sleigh ride dinner at 4 Eagle Ranch
Percheron draft horses pull the sleighs to dinner with entertainment and s'mores. Dinners begin in November 2026, and wagons replace sleighs when snow is thin.
$110 adults, $55 ages 5 to 12, as listed on 2026-11-08
Hot springs
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
A large hot springs pool west of Vail in Glenwood Springs, with a hotter therapy pool and the Yampah Mineral Baths. It is open year-round, 9 am to 9 pm.
Ice skating
Solaris Plaza Ice Rink and Alderhof Ice Rink
Outdoor ice skating
Outdoor rinks at Solaris Plaza in Vail Village and Alderhof Ice Rink at The Arrabelle in Lionshead, both with skate rentals. They are open mainly in the afternoon and evening.
Snowshoeing
Vail Nordic Center
Snowshoeing
10 km of snowshoe trails at the Nordic Center, with snowshoe rentals on site.
Snowshoe rental package $38, as listed on 2026-11-08
Cross-country skiing
Vail Nordic Center, 1775 Sunburst Drive
Cross-country skiing
17 km of daily-groomed skate and classic track, with rentals and lessons. The track opening depends on early snow.
Day pass $31 (2026/27 season), as listed on 2026-11-08
Scenic rides
Vail Mountain
Scenic gondola ride
Gondola One leaves from Vail Village and the Eagle Bahn Gondola leaves from Lionshead, both with Gore Range views. The ride takes about 15 minutes each way.
Museums and history
Colorado Snowsports Museum, 231 South Frontage Road East
Colorado Snowsports Museum
A museum of skiing and snowboarding history in Vail Village, open daily 10 am to 6 pm.
Free, as listed on 2026-11-08
Tour links compare GetYourGuide options and may earn Snow Way a commission. Official site links don't. Affiliate disclosure
Free things to do
- Colorado Snowsports Museum: free admission every day
- Stoke Sessions: free outdoor concerts at Checkpoint Charlie in Vail Village during Vail Après
- Vail Winterfest: ice sculptures on display along Gore Creek Promenade in January
Winter events
- Vail Après · November to December
- Vail Kris Kringle Market · December
- Vail Skating Festival Ice Spectacular · December
- New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks · December 31
- Vail Winterfest · January
Not skiing? Most sleigh, dog sled and snowmobile trips leave from ranches outside Vail, so check whether your tour includes transport before you book.
Where to stay in Vail
Or compare: condos and houses on Vrbo · hotels on Expedia
Prices for Nov 10 to Nov 13; change dates on the next page. Bookings may earn Snow Way a commission. Affiliate disclosure
Plan the rest of the trip
- Vail snow report and forecast · where to stay at Vail · best time to ski Vail
- Denver to Vail: drive time and shuttles
Vail in winter: questions
What is there to do in Vail in winter besides skiing?
Beyond the slopes, Vail in winter means snowmobiling (Nova Guides, 7088 U.S. 24, Red Cliff), dog sledding (Alpine Adventures, Rancho Escondido, 21767 Hwy 24 West, Leadville), sleigh rides (Bearcat Stables, 2701 Squaw Creek Road, Edwards), and hot springs (Glenwood Hot Springs Resort). Most sleigh, dog sled and snowmobile trips leave from ranches outside Vail, so check whether your tour includes transport before you book.
Can you go snowmobiling in Vail?
Yes. Nova Guides, 7088 U.S. 24, Red Cliff: Tours of 2 to 6 hours from a lodge at Camp Hale, the World War II training site of the 10th Mountain Division, on trails reaching near 12,500 feet.
Can you go dog sledding in Vail?
Yes. Alpine Adventures, Rancho Escondido, 21767 Hwy 24 West, Leadville: Tours cover 5.5 miles with about an hour on the trail behind teams of 10 to 12 dogs. The company also runs a rescue facility for retired sled dogs.
Are there hot springs near Vail?
Yes. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort: A large hot springs pool west of Vail in Glenwood Springs, with a hotter therapy pool and the Yampah Mineral Baths. It is open year-round, 9 am to 9 pm.
Are there sleigh rides in Vail?
Yes. Bearcat Stables, 2701 Squaw Creek Road, Edwards: Thirty-minute horse-drawn rides on a historic ranch in Edwards, about 25 minutes from Vail. Afternoon rides include campfire s'mores, and a sleigh ride and dinner option is booked by phone. 4 Eagle Ranch, 4098 Hwy 131, Wolcott: Percheron draft horses pull the sleighs to dinner with entertainment and s'mores. Dinners begin in November 2026, and wagons replace sleighs when snow is thin.
What can you do for free in Vail in winter?
Colorado Snowsports Museum: free admission every day. Stoke Sessions: free outdoor concerts at Checkpoint Charlie in Vail Village during Vail Après. Vail Winterfest: ice sculptures on display along Gore Creek Promenade in January.
Is it snowing in Vail this week?
As of November 8, 2026, Vail has 0.0" of snow in the 7-day forecast.
Sources
- Nova Guides
- Nova Guides snowmobile tours
- Alpine Adventures Dog Sledding tours
- Alpine Adventures Dog Sledding directions
- Discover Vail: dog sledding
- Bearcat Stables
- 4 Eagle Ranch sleigh ride dinners
- Vail Nordic Center
- Vail.com: ice skating in Vail
- Discover Vail: things to do if you don't ski
- Discover Vail: winter scenic gondola ride
- Colorado Snowsports Museum
- Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
- Discover Vail: signature winter events
More ski towns in winter
Lake Tahoe · Breckenridge · Aspen · Jackson Hole · Park City · Steamboat Springs · Mammoth Lakes · Whistler · Stowe