Vail, Colorado is an outdoor-lover’s paradise. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains about an hour and forty minutes west of Denver, Vail is a mountain and resort town that draws locals and tourists alike to the area.

1. Vail is more than just a ski town.

Vail Mountain and the surrounding town are open year round. In the summer and fall, take a ride up a chairlift for a stunning view. Or hike the 17 miles of recreational paths. With Vail’s Epic Discovery  program, visitors can explore Vail with zip lines, tubing, adventure courses, and more.

2. But Vail is really good at skiing.

With a renowned skiing and snowboarding school and eight different areas for riding, Vail is a world-renowned mountain. Vail is also home to the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships. Vail Resorts, who own Vail Mountain, also own Breckenridge, Keystone, and Beaver Creek. The Epic Pass gets snow-lovers access to all four resorts, as well as many more.

3. Vail has acres of adventures.

With 1,100 acres of open space, 5,289 acres of skiable terrain, and 350,000 acres of national forest surrounding the town, Vail has the space for a plethora of activities in every season.

4. Vail is home to the highest botanical gardens in the world.

The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is located at 8,250 feet above sea level. The gardens host over 3,000 species of high-altitude plants.

5. Art in Vail is a big deal.

While Vail is known for its outdoor activities, the town is a cultural hub, as well. There are exhibitions happening and galleries open year round. To see outdoor art throughout the Vail, follow this link  for a map of 45 works of sculpture art throughout the town.

6. There is always something happening in Vail.

Vail is an active town, and not only because of the adventurous environment. Every night boasts different activities — from yoga to a guided snowshoe tour. Check out the Vail calendar here.