Winter Wonderland in Colorado
In efforts to step up my domestic travel game, I decided to take a trip to the Centennial State. I heard nothing but great things about its landscape and endless winter fun so I decided to take an end of year trip here to jump start my holiday season.
Getting Here: The cheapest option for me was to fly into Denver International airport with Delta for $181 round trip (nonstop). From here I rented a car at the airport with Avis. It was a seamless process to pick up my car from the airport because there are shuttles just outside after baggage claim. I opted for an SUV with four wheel drive to be on the safe side and it cost me $380 for 7 days. This was the safest option considering I was going to be driving in winter conditions.
Denver: I only opted to spend one night in Denver which I actually regret because it seems like a pretty cool city with a lot to do and see. I booked a one night stay in The Sonesta Downtown Denver for $89/night. It was centrally located just a few blocks from 16th street mall. Note: Parking at most of the downtown hotels isn’t free. I happen to visit on a Saturday so I found free street parking. Please keep this in mind when planning your stay in Denver. During my short stay, I was able to admire some of the street art as well as eat some great food at some restaurants:
Snooze an AM eatery: Amazing brunch with great drinks.
Denver Biscuit Company: Huge top tier biscuit sandwiches that I had on my way to the airport.
Vail
Arguably the most popular ski town in the United States, I must say Vail lived up to the hype. It reminded me of a Hollywood movie scene with the colorful houses and lights all around. If you visit around the holiday season like I did, it will definitely put you in the spirit.
Things to Know About Vail:
Vail is Not Budget Friendly: Sorry folks, but this is not making the list of affordable places to travel. In order to enjoy this beautiful place, be prepared to spend your coins. To try and cut corners I would suggest getting an Airbnb to cook some of your meals. This will allow you to save on restaurant costs.
Hotel Shuttles: Most hotels have shuttle buses that take you to Vail or Lionshead village for free. Please check to see if your hotel offers this service.
Local Buses: Complimentary local buses will take you to different parts of Vail.
Early Closures: Due to Covid-19, restaurants and bars shut down around 9-10pm.
Altitude Sickness: I’m no stranger to altitude sickness after visiting places like Peru. Cities like Vail are at a higher altitude so the air is thinner. This makes it a bit difficult to breathe when doing some activities and might take some getting used to. I experienced this a few times but I recommend you take things slow the first day or two and pace yourself.
Where to Stay: I stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Vail and booked a suite using my American Express Platinum Card and only spent $650 along with using my points. The hotel has a lot to offer for couples, families, groups, etc. I also appreciated the convenience of the hotel shuttle that takes you to and from Vail village. They run every 10-15 minutes so I never had to worry about driving throughout my entire stay (valet parking is provided at $45/day). Note: This hotel is also dog friendly so please expect to see dogs (on leashes) throughout your stay. Other great hotels in Vail are The Sonnenalp, The Sebastian Vail, and The Arrabelle. These were all top choices for my stay but I ended up getting the most bang for my buck at the Grand Hyatt.
Things To Do: Vail is winter activity heaven. As a newbie I was definitely overwhelmed with the options because they all looked so much fun. I’ve never done much winter activities (sorry I prefer warm islands), but I’m all about stepping out of my comfort zone. Here are the most popular winter activities in Vail:
Skiing/Snowboarding: These two activities are the reasons why most people come to Vail. If you want to spend a day on the slopes, the mountain lift ticket is $180 per day and the cost to rent equipment is about $160 per day. You can purchase your lift tickets here and there are countless places in town to rent equipment and many hotels have stores in them where you can rent equipment as well. The Vail Mountaini Resort managed by Marriot is a world-renowned ski area with 5,300 skiable acres. . About 18% of the runs are for beginners, 29% are intermediate and 53% are advanced. Note that peak ski season is around January and February so this is when you will see the most crowds so plan accordingly. Also note that tickets must be purchased in advance online.
Snow Mobiling: I had an absolute blast doing this activity. I booked with Nova Guides through my hotel website and did a 2 hour tour for $175 per person (to drive the snow mobile). It is $60 per person if you want to be a passenger of the snow mobile. This cost includes your helmet, boots, and ski googles if you don’t have your own. The tour company also provides transportation to and from the start of the tour which is about 30 minutes from Vail.
Ice Fishing: This is a great way to get out and enjoy the winter landscape. With three hour tours ranging from $180 for two people, this is one of the more affordable winter activities.
Dog Sledding: Another exhilarating winter activity for everyone to enjoy. Prices start at $130 per person for small group tours and they last for just under two hours.
Snow Shoeing : This is popular winter pastime in Vail, and a great way to burn off all of the food you’ll be eating in Vail. There are a lot of trails if you want to set out on your own and you can rent snowshoes from many places on the mountain.
Scenic Gondola Rides: If you don’t want to be in the snow and would rather enjoy the view, this is perfect for you. You an purchase your tickets for the Gondola in Lionshead village for $45 per person.
Ice Skating: This would be the cheapest winter activity available in town. You can ice skate in Lionshead Village for $15 and it’s an additional cost of $5 to rent skates.
Restaurants to Try:
El Segundo: Amazing Mexican food in Vail village with tacos that are to die for. Make your reservations here because they fill up fast.
Gessner Restaurant & Bar - The signature restaurant of the Grand Hyatt full of Colorado inspired game entrees for all to enjoy, There are even vegan options on the menu as well.
Montauk Grill: A high end restaurant that I was dying to go to but they didn’t have any tables available. Located in Lionshead village, make your reservations in advance for this place.
Garfinkels: A restaurant/bar in Lionshead village serving good finger foods and entrees with very generous portions.
Mountain Standard: Unfortunately I didn’t get to dine here because there were no available reservations for a week out. However it has great reviews and to my understanding they cook your food on an open fire pit in front of you. Check it out if you have the time and are lucky enough to get a table.
The Little Diner: Great breakfast/lunch options at affordable prices. They stay open until 2pm so plan accordingly.
Two Arrows: A small bar serving great warm and cold alcoholic drinks.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is a bit of a change of pace compared to Vail but very much still worth the visit. I was able to unplug and recharge here which was much needed after such a hectic year. It was just under a three hour drive from Vail on a straight highway with wonderful views of the Rocky Mountains. I stayed at the Garden of the God’s Resort and was blown away by the epic views. It was the perfect combination of luxury and nature.
Lyons
My last and final stop on my road trip was a much different accommodation style compared to the two previous luxury properties I stayed in. My last night in Colorado was spent at Wee Casa Tiny House Resort. Lyons is a small town located just 50 minutes from Denver and 2 hours from Colorado Springs. Each house has its own theme and mine was called Judy Blue Eyes. They are small in size but equipped with every thing you need for your stay. I typically like to mix up my accommodation choices during my travels so I was glad to have ended my trip here. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there was no indoor dining in Lyons I picked up some takeout from Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Brew just a minute drive from the house which was affordable and delicious
Overall my trip to Colorado was the perfect way to begin the holiday season and finish the catastrophic year that was 2020. I had a lot of fun while still making time to recharge and get ready to jump start the new year.