This upscale playground one of the nation's most popular resorts has been a favorite destination for a wide range of celebrities and the home of former President Gerald Ford all year round, not just during skiing season.

There are no less than 5,200 skiable acres in the area. Offering skiing opportunities for beginners, experts and every skill level in between. That's true...but there's much more to do in Vail than just ski. There's mountain biking and regular biking, hiking, fishing, golfing, camping and many other activities to keep you going in the warmer months and a wide world of winter sports too, including: snowshoeing, snowcat rides, dog sledding, sleigh rides, and snowmobiling,

The Town of Vail itself (population 8,500) offers a full range of municipal services. The Village is the hub of the recreational community has a charming and enchanted feel, peppered by boutiques and art galleries catering to every taste.

There are five-star hotels, and plenty of condominium and vacation home rentals. In all, the resort town offers an estimated 32,000 guest beds, more than 120 restaurants and 200-plus shops. Whether looking for a quick bite on the mountain, a night on the town or a place to entertain the younger generation, Vail caters to anyone's palate and budget.

So, sit by the fire, sip a glass of something yummy, and pick what you are going to tomorrow.

ART GALLERIES

Vail International Gallery and the Vickers Collection Galleries in Vail and Beaver Creek  play host to an array of artists of different cultures who work in every medium from oils to glass to gold.

COOKING CLASSES

Cooking classes with world-class chefs are taught at Cooking School of Vail. The school is at the Savory Inn, where you also can stay as a guest.

ICE FISHING

Best bet: White River Fishing Lodge, Meeker. Secluded on 10 acres in deep pine and aspen forest mountains, next to the trout-filled waters of the White River. The White River Valley has long been known for some of the finest fishing waters in Colorado in a private stretch of almost one-half mile of pristine river. 

ICE SKATING

Best Bet: Dobson Ice Arena on East Lionshead in Vail. John A. Dobson Arena provides a wide array of recreational activities for the Vail community. The arena, a 35,000 square foot multi-purpose facility, is the largest of its type on the Western Slope of Colorado. Dobson Arena is the site for the Vail Figure Skating Festival and the Vail Invitational Skating Championships.

For the recreational ice skater, Dobson Arena hosts open skating sessions and lessons for all ages and abilities in recreational skating. Dobson arena also offers a wide array of hockey options for both the beginning youngster to the seasoned adult player.

Black Family Ice Rink

You'll think you've stepped inside a snow globe when you strap on skates for an evening glide around Black Family Ice Rink in Beaver Creek. Take a break with a sandwich or hot chocolate at the outdoor cafe, open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in winter.

SHOPPING AND MORE SHOPPING

Vail offers more than 136 shops and boutiques to choose from. Options include numerous art galleries, casual apparel, gift and home furnishing boutiques, ski/snowboard shops, a wine shop and florist, handcrafted jewelers and more. Unique shops that are one-of-a-kind to the Vail area include: The Golden Bear Gorsuch Pepi's Charm School Boutique/ Luca Bruno's Scotch of the Rockies (all things Scottish) Gotthelf's, Fine Jewelers, Roxy, and Kiss the Moon.

SKI BIKING

No way! Yes, way! Adventure Ridge is Vail's headquarters for non-skiing fun. This on-mountain activity center located at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola at Eagle's Nest caters to the young and young at heart.

You up to this? In the dark of night, you will don ski boots or snow skates, clear goggles, headlamps and mount a special bike (it is a seated unit with skis wheels, you then have small skis on your feet) you then propel yourself down the ski slope. Well, if this doesn't thrill you, nothing will. Must be at least 12 years old, 4f 6in tall and an intermediate skier or snowboarder. Obviously.

SLEIGH RIDES

Best Bet: Steve Jones Sleigh Rides. Used as a means of primary transportation in the early days, sleigh riding has become a Vail tradition. Can you imagine, sitting in a beautiful, horse drawn sleigh with two strong, Belgian beauties dashing you thru the snow spending a romantic evening with just the two of you or having fun with the whole family. Sink under warm blankets and enjoy the scenery while taking in the view of the Gore Mountains rising majestically around you. Capture this enchanting experience that starts in the late afternoon and go throughout the night until around 8pm. The best times to take a ride is during a full moon when the entire Gore Range is bathed in soft moonlight under a star filled sky. The ringing of sleigh bells will be music to your ears as you silently glide thru this winter wonderland.

SNOWCAT RIDES

Beano's Cabinin  Vail. Meet Penelope the porcupine, resident mascot at Beano's Cabin, a kid-friendly gourmet restaurant located at the base of Larkspur Bowl on Beaver Creek Mountain. Accessible ONLY by snowcat, the cabin boasts an AAA four-diamond rating plus a yummy children's menu. Contact Beano's for more information.

Nova Guides Snowcat Tours of Vail. Travel in luxury in a heated, gigantic, four-track snowcoach that holds 13 comfortably. This monstor machine will maneuver you easily over the deepest of snow. The trails wind thru White River National Forest at Camp Hale. Enjoy pristine views of the Colorado Rockie and the Continental Divide.

SNOWSHOEING

Nature Discovery Center - Adventure Ridge, Atop Vail Mountain. Guided snowshoe tours are offered every day. Enjoy a guided, hour-long snowshoe tour on top of Vail Mountain. Snowshoes provided.

The Vail Nordic Center Tours - the saying goes: 'If you can walk, you can snowshoe'

Snowshoeing is one of the fastest growing sports in America. Walking on top of snow makes you feel like you can walk on water, however, you still have to put one foot in front of the other, at least if you fall down, it won't hurt as much as falling off your skis. Take guided tours in a peaceful, stunning setting over private trails (no, you won't be sharing the trails with the snowmobiles, besides, you can't move fast enough to get out of their way anyhow). Snowshoe atop fresh powder for a feeling that you are light as a feather.

Beaver Creek Nordic Center. Identify evergreens by touch, spot wildlife tracks, and maybe even spy bear-claw scratches on a tree during a snowshoe trek in McCoy Park. Fun for kids and adults alike.

SNOWMOBILES AND DOGSLEDDING

Alpine Snowmobiles and Dog sledding. A one stop shop for everything from equipment to adopting one of their sledding dogs.

Snowmobiling in Vaile - now, this is what I am talking about! Take a guided 2 hour or more tour through gentle, sloping meadows over groomed trails or deep powder to take your outdoor excitement to new heights. If you have never snomobiled, you just aren't living right. Rent single or double riders, children 7 and under ride free with accompanying adult.

Take Nova Guides Snowmobile Dinner Ride Tour

Transportation, snowsuits, boots, and helmets are provided. The tour will take you through some of the greatest scenery Colorado has to offer. Enjoy a 1 1/2 hour guided snowmobile tour followed by a gourmet dinner at our new lodge.

Dog Sledding in Vail

Are you looking for a breathtaking outdoor adventure? Do you love dogs and want to try something new? Dog sledding is fast becoming one of the most popular outdoor winter sports! Whether you take an exciting dogsled ride, attend a mushing class, or try Skijoring, skiing while being pulled by sled dogs!

Adopt A Sledding Dog: You can even adopt one of the amazing sled dogs to take home with you. They are lovable and make great companions for adults and children alike. Plus they can probably pull your car out of the ditch in winter. Well, not really. But they will pull the kids around on their sleds/tubes/saucers and your kids will be the envy of the neighborhood.

The professional Mushers will take your lessons to new heights (literally, over 10,000 feet to be exact) and will let you choose how long you want your lessons to be, you can choose the size of the sled according to the people in your party and then you are off and away! YOU are the Musher (in other words, you are driving the team) Traveling over fresh powder with the mountains looming above you, you will travel to a secluded mountain tent area for warmth, hot chocolate and meeting other 'sledders' and mingling with these wonderful sled dogs.

SKIJORING

How about trying Skijoring: skijoring (sk jr ng, -jr-) n. [modif. of Norw skikjring, fr. ski + kjring driving]: a winter sport in which a person wearing skis is drawn over snow by one or more dogs. Think you are up to this? You would need to have skiing experience with some ski-skate experience, definitely not for the faint hearted (for crying out loud, you will be going on a 3 (yes, three) day excursion!) Vail sometimes host the Skijoring races that are Sanctioned by the International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA) and the International Federation of Sled Dog Sports (IFSS).

SNOWTUBING 

At Adventure Ridge, the multi-lane tubing hill offers a variety of adventure and thrills. Lanes vary for short, mild cruzing to hair raising steep, fast runs for racing. Link yourself to your friends or even strangers to snake' down the hill in a twisting, curving line of screaming people for an adventure you will long remember. The hills have lifts that will drag your tired body back uphill for more of the same. At the top is a warming hut, restrooms and viewing area.

This real travel advice for Vail visitors was contributed by Bonnie Butler.