Destination Guides: Vail, United States - City Information

Elevation: 8,150 ft.

Time Zone: Mountain Time zone: (When it is 11:00am in New York City; it is 9:00am in Vail) Daylight saving time is observed from April-October)

Weather: 303-398-3964 for hourly updates

Average Temperatures:

When to Go

If you're a skier, you will want to spend as much time as possible on the slopes in Vail. Vail’s snow has a reputation for being some of the lightest and fluffiest anywhere. Whether or not you are a skier, you may also wish to visit this breathtakingly beautiful country when temperatures are warmest and wildflowers are at their peak in July and August. In summer, more and more ski areas are opening their chairlifts to mountain bikers. There are numerous trails winding through the mountain passes. Bargain rates are often available in spring and fall, but the weather is especially uncertain at that time, and there may be unexpected snow. snow. September is a favorite time to visit when the changing aspen leaves turn the hillsides to gold.

Weather:  Northwest Colorado is a place of sudden weather changes. One minute it may be sunny and the next, snowing, and later raining. Summer attractions may even be closed due to snow. Most mountain towns shut down after the ski season until mid-June and again from Labor Day until the new ski season starts. Always call ahead to avoid disappointment.

Sunscreen is essential at high altitudes.

Business Hours

Most banks are open from 10 to 4 Monday through Friday. Many are open for several hours on Saturday. Most businesses in Vail are open Monday through Saturday, from 9 or 10 AM to 6 or 9 PM. Many others, including shopping centers, are also open Sunday from noon to 5 or later.

Arriving in the United States

contact the U.S. Customs Service inquiries, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229, 202/927-6724

Electricity

The U.S. electrical standard is 110 volts/60 cycles AC. Foreign visitors traveling with dual-voltage appliances will not need a converter, but they will need a plug adapter. The standard U.S. electrical outlet takes a plug of two flat pins set parallel to one another.

Emergencies

Ambulance 911. Fire 911. Police 911.

Hospital Emergency Rooms

Vail Valley Medical Center 181 W. Meadow Dr., Vail, 970/476-2452.

Telephones The country code for the United States is 1. The area code for Vail is 970.

Tipping

At restaurants, a 15% tip is standard for waiters; up to 20% may be expected at more expensive establishments. The same is true for taxi drivers, bartenders, and hairdressers.

Church Services:

The Chapel at Beaver Creek

33 Elk Track Road, Beaver Creek

845-9449

Mount of The Holy Cross Lutheran Church

19 Vail Road, Vail

476-6610

Trinity Baptist Church

The Chapel at Beaver Creek

33 Elk Track Road, Beaver Creek

Vail Interfaith Chapel

19 Vail Road, Vail

Edwards Chapel

90 Lariat Loop, Edwards

476-1759

St. Clare of Assisi Parish

0053 Old County Ln., Edwards

926-2821

New Life Assembly of God

461 Main St., Minturn

827-4102

Edwards Chapel

90 Lariat Loop, Edwards

926-5707

Calvary Chapel

Berry Creek Middle School, Edwards

926-5860

Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration

Vail Inter-Faith Chapel

476-0618

Vail Interfaith Chapel

19 Vail Road, Vail

476-3347

Sanctuary International

4327 Streamside, East Vail

827-9770

Gracious Savior Lutheran Church

33520 Hwy. 6, Edwards

926-3550

Vail Bible Church

39209 Hwy. 6, Eagle-Vail

949-6585

St. Patrick's Parish

476 Pine, Minturn

827-5784

Annointed Christian Fellowship

480 Nottingham Road, Avon

949-6188

Presbyterian Parish

191 Main St., Minturn

827-5547

National Holidays:

New Year's Day Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve Dec. 31.

Arriving By Air

The Vail Valley is served by Eagle County Regional Airport EGE Gypsum, 970/524-9490, 35 miles west of Vail. American, Continental, and America West fly here year-round, and during ski season, Delta, United, and Northwest offer nonstop flights from several gateway cities.

Flying times to Vail: 40 minutes from Denver, 2 1⁄2 hours from Dallas, 3 hours from Chicago, and 4 1⁄2 hours from Newark.

Transfers Between the Airport and Town

By Bus

Airport Transportation Service 970/476-7576, Colorado Mountain Express 970/949-4227 or 800/525-6353, and Vans to Vail 970/476-4467 or 800/222-2212 offer service from the airport into town.

By Car

From the airport, take Interstate 70 east 35 miles to Vail.

By Bus

Greyhound 800/231-2222 provides service from Denver to Vail.

By Car

The Vail Valley is 120 miles west of Denver on I-70, which bisects the state east to west take exits 173, 176, or 180. If you're entering Colorado from the north or south, take I-25, which intersects with I-70 in Denver.

Getting Around

By Bus

Vail Transit 970/328-8143 has free buses throughout the Vail resort area. Avon Beaver

Creek Transit 970/949-6121 runs shuttles the length of the valley, daily, between 7 AM and 2:30 AM, every 20-30 minutes,

Road Conditions

For information on road conditions throughout the state of Colorado call 303/639-1111.

By Taxi

Vail Valley Taxi 970/476-8294.