Colorado summers are something special, especially in the high country. The days are sunny and warm, and the evenings cool and pleasant. Call me crazy, but this is when I love Colorado best.
Summer has always been my favorite time to head to the mountains. Since I live near Denver, I have many top Colorado summer destinations to choose from, but Vail is among my favorites.
This mountain paradise, renowned for its snowy slopes, transforms into a spectacular wonderland during the warmer months. With breathtaking landscapes, adrenaline-pumping activities, and a lineup of exciting festivals, Vail becomes an irresistible magnet for summer travelers.
My husband, Benjamin, and I recently spent a weekend in Vail that offered all the best of a Colorado summer – beautiful weather, gorgeous views and lots of time outdoors.
The Hythe, Vail: A Captivating Luxury Retreat in the Heart of the Rockies
Our base was The Hythe Vail, a stylish luxury resort nestled in Lionshead Village, where pedestrian-only streets overflow with cozy après destinations and shops galore. Best of all, it’s just a quick walk from Eagle Bahn Gondola.
The 382-room property underwent a $40 million renovation to create a modern alpine-chic resort that is already a Vail favorite. The Hythe’s design ties in perfectly with Vail’s history and connections to the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, which had a training camp nearby. The 10th Mountain Bar in the lobby celebrates that heritage with Colorado-crafted whiskey, a full bar and appetizers.
The hotel offers exclusive excursions to the 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit Company’s local distillery to experience how the whiskey and spirits are made.
Rooms at The Hythe
Our guest room at The Hythe was large and well-appointed with luxury mountain-style furnishings. Although we didn’t use it, the room even had a fireplace that I imagine would be very cozy on a cold winter evening.
During the summertime, though, you’ll want to spend time on the deck. I spent each morning sitting on the deck with a coffee in hand, soaking in the sweet mountain air.
Well & Being Spa
Though the mountains are healing on their own, I love visiting spas whenever I travel. The Hythe has a gorgeous spa called Well & Being Spa which has a calming design scheme. Their spa and recovery-focused wellness offerings aim to infuse life with a greater sense of vitality.
After a relaxing one-hour massage, I spent time in the spa’s Himalayan Salt Inhalation Lounge in Vail. The warm, serene setting is peaceful and it’s believed that the salt crystals help to open up breathing and reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract. Whatever it did, I liked it.
Dining at The Hythe
While Vail has many top restaurants, you’ll want to make sure you dine at the resort, which has four culinary concepts. We had a hearty breakfast each morning at Margie’s Haas, a tribute to a World War II local home cook.
According to local legend, after World War II began, the Army built Camp Hale in the Pando Valley, 23 miles south of Gore Creek. Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division often drove through the valley on and stopped at the Haas’ home for one of Margie Haas’ home-cooked meals.
Margie also cooked dinner for the men who worked at the sawmill behind her house every day. Margie and Frank Haas were beloved members of the community. Today, Margie’s Haas embodies the Haas family spirit of serving the community.
In the evening, that same space turns into Revel, which delights with hand-crafted cocktails that celebrate the resort’s pillar cornerstone of Après All Day spirit, and Colorado-inspired cuisine using fresh alpine ingredients. Executive Chef Axel Torres is known for his innovative cuisine, and we enjoyed every dish we tried.
A Family-Friendly Resort
The Hythe is a favorite with families. The resort offers several kid-approved activities, including nightly s’mores on the outdoor patio on most evenings.
READ MORE: 5 Ways to Play in Vail in the Summer
Ski Holidays at The Hythe
For all its beauty in the summer, Vail is best known as a ski destination. The Hythe’s proximity to world-class ski slopes makes it a perfect choice for snow enthusiasts seeking unforgettable alpine experiences.
The resort’s True North shop offers ski valet, clothing and gear. There is even a small adventure gear lending library, in case you forget your coats, hiking shoes, games and more.
The Hythe has partnered with Adventure IO to bring guests world-class excursions and custom-curated adventures hosted by professional athletes, local experts, and brand ambassadors.
GoPro Mountain Games in Vail
Vail, Colorado has a full calendar of year-round events. We visited during the ever-popular GoPro Mountain Games, an annual outdoor sports and adventure festival held each June in Vail. It’s one of the premier outdoor events in North America, drawing thousands of athletes and spectators from around the world.
With concerts, competitions, demonstrations and unique vendors, it’s a jam-packed experience.
The GoPro Mountain Games take place over several days, and the schedule includes a wide range of sporting events, including mountain biking, kayaking, trail running, rock climbing, slacklining, and more. Vail has strong local contenders for many categories, and the hometown crowd was there to cheer them on.
From the size of the crowds, it looked like the most popular competitors might be the four-legged variety. GoPro Mountain Games features exciting dog competitions that celebrate dogs and their incredible abilities.
DockDogs® is a crowd-favorite event that showcases dogs’ love for water and their impressive jumping abilities. In this high-energy competition, dogs take a running start from a dock and leap into a pool of water, aiming to achieve the longest jump or highest vertical leap. Seeing the dogs’ enthusiasm, you can’t help but cheer for them.
Summer in Vail is something quite special. Whether you’re a nature lover looking for mountain calm or an adrenaline junkie wanting to enjoy the outdoors, Vail has something for everyone.
READ MORE: Top 5 Colorado Mountain Towns in Summer
If You Go to Vail
Vail Event Calendar
Learn more at The Hythe Vail
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