With Powabunga just a few weeks away, some people may be wondering “hmm what can I do during the day? I fucking hate skiing!” Many festival activities, aside from the costume contest on Saturday don’t begin until after the ski lifts close. Vail is a world-class ski resort and the slopes are the center of attention in the winter months!
The minority of Powabunga attendees who don’t enjoy shredding the pow need not fear. Vail is filled with things to do! Even those who do enjoy skiing and snowboarding may want to add a little variety to their daytime activities. Here is a list of five activities that don’t require skis or a snowboard, all tried and tested by a local.
1. Fly Down the Mountain Like Superman
Go to Adventure Ridge and sign up for a few runs down the tubing hill! Lay on your stomach in a Superman pose, get spun around at high speeds, or if you’re really adventurous, a combination of both. Adventure Ridge also offers activities such as ski biking and alpine coaster rides. It’s the perfect place to go find some child-like fun for the day.
2. Mush
Love dogs? Go dog sledding and get pulled along a private trail by a whole pack of fluffy, athletic puppers. Mountain Mushers is just minutes outside of Vail and they have been operating for over 30 years!
3. Eat Your Little Heart Out
Vail is filled with scrumptious food that you can’t find anywhere else. If splurging on some fine-dining is in the budget, eat at Sweet Basil. Their beautifully crafted contemporary American cuisine has received multiple awards, one of them being ranked as one of the top five restaurants in Colorado by Zagat Survey. Make reservations now! The restaurant is sometimes completely booked with reservations months in advance. For breakfast or lunch, a little local diner, rightfully named The Little Diner, is known to be the best breakfast in Vail. They make their family recipes with local ingredients from scratch daily. For a list of top-rated restaurants of all different kinds and prices, check out this list from TripAdvisor.
4. Take in the Beauty of the Slopes on a Gondola Ride
Take in the beauty of the slopes on a Gondola Ride: Head over to Lions Head and hop on the Eagle Bahn Gondola. It opens at 8:30 am and runs into the early evening. At the top, there is a building called Eagle’s Nest, which sits at 11,570 feet! The building houses dining options as well as a Nature Discovery Center. Just riding the gondola to take in the glimmering alpine view at the top is worth it!
5. Stroll Through Town
Vail’s town center can’t be forgotten! Both Vail Valley and Lions Head are colorful town areas filled with eclectic buildings, art galleries, people watching, shopping, and lots of mountain culture. Exploring the town is the perfect vacation activity for people who aren’t especially outdoorsy.
Of course, the most exciting happening in Vail for the weekend will be Powabunga itself! After playing in Vail for the day, head over to the festival stage at Ford Park and dance late into the night at the after-parties at Vail Ale House. The event is selling-out fast- don’t wait until the last minute to snag your tickets!
