Fast Facts
Vail Summer Quick Facts 2008
Summer Media Contact:
Katie Coakley, Peeples Ink PR, Ltd.
(970) 845-8525
katie@peeplesink.com
Location
• Vail is located 100 miles (160 km) west of Denver, 140 miles (230 km) east of Grand Junction and is easily accessible via the Eagle County Regional Airport, located 35 miles (56 km) to the west - all along the Interstate 70 corridor.
By the Numbers
• Vail Town Elevation – 8,150 feet (2,484 meters)
• Vail Mountain Summit – 11,450 feet (3,490 meters)
• Vertical Rise – 3,450 feet (1,052 meters)
• Vail Town Size – 7 miles long, 2 miles wide (5 square miles)
• Eagle County Size – 1,694 square miles
• Paved Recreational Path – 23 miles (Vail Pass to Avon)
• Paved Recreational Path in Eagle County – 58 miles (Vail Pass to Gypsum)
• Mountain Biking in Eagle County – 343 miles of trail
• Hiking in Eagle County – 166 miles of trail
• Trail Running in Eagle County – 22 miles of trail
• Road Biking in Eagle County – 274 miles of road
• Paddling in Eagle County – 86 miles of river (Colorado and Eagle Rivers)
Summer Climate
• Average Daytime Temperature – 75 degrees
• Average Nighttime Temperature – 45 degrees
• Vail receives an average of 300 days of sunshine a year with little-to-no humidity
• Weather can change in a matter of hours, so it is a good idea to be prepared when heading into the backcountry.
Flora & Fauna
• The earliest wildflowers bloom in April.
• By July, wildflowers abound, sometimes waist deep in mountain meadows as in China Bowl on Vail Mountain.
• By mid-September, leaves from the aspen trees that engulf the Vail Valley, turn a brilliant gold, lasting generally three weeks.
• Wildlife is often viewed in the backcountry and includes fox, deer, elk, marmots, beaver, coyotes, moose, black bears and bighorn sheep.
Mountain Ranges
• Vail Mountain
Base 8,200 feet (2,475 meters)
Summit 11,450 feet (3,490 meters)
• Gore Range
Rugged Peaks surrounding the east side of Vail
13,000+ feet
• Sawatch Range
Includes picturesque Mount of the Holy Cross visible from Vail Mountain
14,005 feet (4,270 meters)
Water
• Vail is surrounded by numerous bodies of water ranging from Class I to Class V whitewater as well as miles of blue ribbon fly-fishing.
• Gore Creek – Gold medal fly-fishing stream that runs through the center of Vail Village and enters the Eagle River near Minturn.
• Eagle River – Flows from Minturn to the juncture of the Colorado River at Dotsero. Known for excellent fly-fishing and whitewater for rafting and kayaking.
• Piney Lake – Located 13 miles (21 km) north of Vail at the base of the Gore Range at Piney River Ranch.
• Beaver Ponds – Beavers maintain their homes in these ponds which are terrific for family fishing and lie along the recreational path in East Vail.
Outdoor Activity
• Whitewater rafting, sand volleyball, hot-air ballooning, jeep tours, gallery walks, chairlift rides, horseback riding, swimming, golfing, kayaking, fly-fishing, hiking, sporting clays, mountain biking, cattle drives, tennis, rock climbing, Frisbee golf and more.
History
• During the 1800s, Ute Indians and pioneer hunters roamed the peaceful valley that is present-day Vail.
• In 1854-56, mountain men explorers, Jim Bridger and Lord Gore, explored the area. The high mountain peaks surrounding Vail to the east were named the Gore Range by Bridger in honor of his friend.
• In the 1940s, a group of ski enthusiasts from the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division were exposed to the area’s majestic mountains while training at Camp Hale near Leadville during World War II
• Following the war, veteran 10th Mountain Division soldiers Pete Seibert, Bill “Sarge” Brown and Bob Parker return to the Gore Valley with dreams of establishing a ski area in the beautiful mountain area. Through hard work and endless dreaming, Vail was established by the trio in 1962.
Getting Here and Away
• Conveniently located off Interstate 70, in the center of the state, Vail is the headquarters for an ideal Rocky Mountain vacation.
Vail/Eagle County Regional Airport
• With its close proximity and daily flights by major airlines, Vail's Eagle County Regional Airport (www.eagle-county.com/airport/) is the most convenient way to get to Vail. Located a quick 30-minute drive from the center of Vail, the Eagle County Regional Airport is serviced in the summertime by United and American Airlines with non-stop flights from Chicago, Denver and Dallas. For more information on schedules and available flights, visit www.FlyVailSummer.com.
Denver International Airport (DIA)
• Located 110 miles east of Vail via Interstate 70, Denver International Airport (www.flydenver.com) offers numerous daily flights to and from most major U.S. cities, and connections to destinations around the world.
Ground Transportation
• Colorado Mountain Express (CME) (www.ridecme.com) – Boasting an unsurpassed safety record, flexible schedules, impeccably maintained vehicles, and courteous and friendly drivers, CME is the best link to Vail’s pedestrian village where cars are not needed. CME offers access to and from both Denver International Airport and the Vail/Eagle County Regional Airport.
• Many national rental car agencies also have offices in Vail.
Getting Around
• The Town of Vail operates the largest free public transportation system in the country.
• Visitors can also access public transportation to nearby Avon, Beaver Creek, Minturn, Leadville and Edwards for a nominal fee on ECO Transportation (http://www.eaglecounty.com/eco_transit/index.cfm).
Lodging Reservations
• Lodging options range from European-style, top-rated hotels to cozy, log cabin bed & breakfasts.
• For lodging packages please visit www.vail.com.
