TOURIST INFORMATION



A question asked already "Is skiing possible?" The ANSWER is yes but it will be a very long walk as all chair lifts and other equipment will be shut down. Accordingly, skiing is not recommended.


WHAT TO DO IN AND AROUND VAIL

In the late spring, Vail is excellent for golfing, hiking, climbing and similar outdoor activities. Fishing may be done; check with the hotel for the license requirements. Bicycling is a normal exercise and mode of transportation; bicycles may be rented at the hotel. Vail is at 8200 ft/2500 m altitude and some have expressed concern over high-altitude problems. Denver is about 1 mile/1,610 m altitude; normal experience is that traveling by road from Denver International Airport to Vail is sufficient to achieve n initial acclimation. However, caution in the amount of exercise is recommended.


SHOPPING

There are many delightful shops in Vail. Walking distance from the Hotel is just over a mile. There is some public parking near the shopping area but walking from there to and among the shops is required. The hotel van may be used for a group to and from the shopping area. This van, however, is restricted to Vail and cannot go outside the city.

Shopping may also be done in other nearby cities. Silver Thorn, 22 miles (35 km) east of Vail, has a large group of outlet stores and good parking available. For those without transportation, arrangements may be made with the Colorado Mountain Express, 970 926 9000 in Vail for shopping or for sightseeing travel.


SIGHTSEEING

The high mountains of Colorado are always good for sightseeing. They are noted for the historical mining and for the railroads that hauled the ore and passengers. A short triangular trip around Vail is to first go 5 (8 km) miles west on I-70 to Highway 24 (at Minturn). Proceed south on Highway 24 through Minturn and over Tennessee Pass (10,424 ft/3,117 m altitude) to Leadville, Leadville is 31 miles (50 km) of mountain road that passes the site of Camp Hale at which the 10th Mountain Division trained before service in Italy in WWII. Return might be by highway 24 or by highway 91, about 24 miles (39 km) to I-70. Highway 91passes Climax, the molybdenum mining operation at Fremont Pass (11,318 ft/3,450 m altitude). The return to Vail is west on I-70, 20 miles (36 km).

In Leadville, there is the National Mining Museum that has an extensive display of the famous in mining from over the world, many of which were university professors. It also has displays of geology and the history of the Climax operation. Molybdenum (Moly) became of high interest about 1916 and is well known for strengthening steel and as a lubricant. But, perhaps of greatest interest at the museum, is an extensive and outstanding display of crystals from nature. If it is running, a ride to Climax Mine can be arranged on the Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad (schedule at www.leadville-train.com.).

For those with an interest in Historical Railroads, Colorado has many recreational lines. At Georgetown, 62 mules east of Vail on I-70, the reconstructed Georgetown Loop hauls passengers to Silver Plume and back. A supervised walk through a silver mine can be arranged as part of the Loop ride. At Golden there is Coors Brewery and the Colorado Railroad Museum; in Denver the Forney Museum of Transportation and many others. These are in addition to the many other attractions of the area.


COLORADO ATTRACTIONS

There are, of course, many attractions to Colorado other than those mentioned. Not far west of Denver and north of I-70 is Central City famous for opera, concerts and, of course, gambling. The cities of the Front Range, Fort Collins, Loveland and Longmont, as well as Boulder, have their own delights as does Denver. Universities, museums and shopping abound with other attractions for those interested in a visit.