Beautiful Summer Weather and Brilliant Wildflowers Make for Great Hiking and Mountain Biking at Vail
VAIL, Colo. – July 9, 2013 – There’s a reason why locals in Vail often say they “came for the winters but stayed for the summers.” With average temperatures sitting comfortably in the mid-70s and little-to-no-humidity, it’s hard to beat the summer weather in the Rocky Mountains. Add to that scenic mountain vistas and an abundance of brilliant wildflowers and you have the perfect place to enjoy an array of fun outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking at Vail Mountain. Vail’s vast summer trail system offers something for all ages and abilities to enjoy with more than 75 miles of trails designated for hiking and biking.
When it comes to hiking, the Fireweed Loop is a great way for guests of all ability levels to see and experience Vail Mountain in all its summer glory. The beautiful wooded trail is an easy one-mile hike that takes guests from the top of Eagle’s Nest in Lionshead over to Mid-Vail or vice versa, and is easily accessed via the Eagle Bahn Gondola or Gondola One. The trail is named after the spikes of white and magenta flowers, Fireweeds, that can occasionally be spotted in the area along with the many other types of wildflowers that bloom on Vail Mountain.
If two wheels are your preferred mode of transportation, Vail’s popular Grand Traverse trail is a must-see and do on the mountain this summer. From Eagle’s Nest, the intermediate 4.9 mile trail starts out easy as it loops through Game Creek Bowl and becomes increasingly difficult as it wraps around the top of Sun Down Bowl. Mountain bikers can exit Grand Traverse at Wildwood and can enjoy incredible views of Mt. of the Holy Cross, the Gore Range and Vail’s world-famous Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin throughout the journey.
Scenic rides and bike hauls are offered out of Vail Village and Lionshead on both gondolas throughout the summer season. Gondola operation schedules are as follows:
Gondola One*
Eagle Bahn Gondola and Adventure Ridge**
For more information about Vail Mountain visit www.vail.com, or stop by the Mountain Information Center, open daily from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).
About Vail Mountain
Coveted as the largest ski resort in the United States with more than 5,200 acres of skiable terrain, seven legendary Back Bowls spanning seven miles, and the most groomed terrain on the planet, Vail has been an extraordinary winter vacation destination for passionate skiers and snowboarders for more than 50 years. It is home to world-class athletes during the U.S. Ski Team early-season training sessions in Golden Peak, the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships and the future 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships. Under blue skies more than 300 days each year, friends and families reconnect and celebrate here from year to year and generation to generation. The vacation experience is exceptional, from the Vail Ski & Snowboard School to events, activities and festivals, shops and spas, abundant culinary experiences and luxurious accommodations. Coupled with the vision inherent in the spirit of Vail’s founders, and a modern day commitment to excellence in all aspects of guest service and operations, Vail is a mountain resort like nothing on earth. www.vail.com.
When it comes to hiking, the Fireweed Loop is a great way for guests of all ability levels to see and experience Vail Mountain in all its summer glory. The beautiful wooded trail is an easy one-mile hike that takes guests from the top of Eagle’s Nest in Lionshead over to Mid-Vail or vice versa, and is easily accessed via the Eagle Bahn Gondola or Gondola One. The trail is named after the spikes of white and magenta flowers, Fireweeds, that can occasionally be spotted in the area along with the many other types of wildflowers that bloom on Vail Mountain.
If two wheels are your preferred mode of transportation, Vail’s popular Grand Traverse trail is a must-see and do on the mountain this summer. From Eagle’s Nest, the intermediate 4.9 mile trail starts out easy as it loops through Game Creek Bowl and becomes increasingly difficult as it wraps around the top of Sun Down Bowl. Mountain bikers can exit Grand Traverse at Wildwood and can enjoy incredible views of Mt. of the Holy Cross, the Gore Range and Vail’s world-famous Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin throughout the journey.
Scenic rides and bike hauls are offered out of Vail Village and Lionshead on both gondolas throughout the summer season. Gondola operation schedules are as follows:
Gondola One*
- Daily: Thursday, June 20 – Monday, Sept. 2
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eagle Bahn Gondola and Adventure Ridge**
- Daily: Thursday, June 20 – Monday, Sept. 2
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday through Wednesday
- 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday
- Weekends-Only: Sept. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29.
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday
For more information about Vail Mountain visit www.vail.com, or stop by the Mountain Information Center, open daily from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).
About Vail Mountain
Coveted as the largest ski resort in the United States with more than 5,200 acres of skiable terrain, seven legendary Back Bowls spanning seven miles, and the most groomed terrain on the planet, Vail has been an extraordinary winter vacation destination for passionate skiers and snowboarders for more than 50 years. It is home to world-class athletes during the U.S. Ski Team early-season training sessions in Golden Peak, the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships and the future 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships. Under blue skies more than 300 days each year, friends and families reconnect and celebrate here from year to year and generation to generation. The vacation experience is exceptional, from the Vail Ski & Snowboard School to events, activities and festivals, shops and spas, abundant culinary experiences and luxurious accommodations. Coupled with the vision inherent in the spirit of Vail’s founders, and a modern day commitment to excellence in all aspects of guest service and operations, Vail is a mountain resort like nothing on earth. www.vail.com.
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About Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.