‘Leaf peepers’ may be in full force scoping out vibrant foliage across the continent, but before you know it, snow will soon transform those very same tree lines into vast winter wonderlands.
Colorado is one of the top places for such an excursion where the gorgeous Rockies are dotted with delightful towns perfect for a winter escape.
Airlines have surely taken notice, adding a handful of new flights to one underrated Colorado town with village-like streets and wondrous mountains as a picture-perfect backdrop.
While Aspen may be the household name of Colorado’s numerous small-town mountainous getaways, it’s time to set your sights on Vail this winter, as it’s easier to reach than ever before.
Alaska’s New Flight To Vail
Typically popular along the West Coast and Mexico, Alaska couldn’t help but dip their toes in Colorado’s frigid winter waters by adding Vail as one of their newest destinations.
However, the airline is no stranger to Colorado’s beauty, as it also flies to Denver, Aspen, and a boatload of hidden gems, such as Steamboat Springs.
In other words, adding Vail to the list is long overdue. So who are the lucky 2 cities that get to fly nonstop come December?
Well, in typical Alaska fashion, 2 of the West Coast’s best cities are the big winners. Those would be Seattle and San Diego.
Beginning December 20th, both Washingtonians and Southern Californians can get their winter splendor fix with direct flights to Vail.
Frontier’s New Flight To Vail
Say what you want about Frontier, but they have stood the test of time in the rapidly changing budget airline industry, and kudos to them.
Despite many of us feeling sorry for their PR team with bad press issued left and right in recent years, the proud low-cost carrier recently announced in tandem with fellow cheapo Spirit they are dropping cancelations and change fees on all flights to become more flyer-friendly.
The airline has announced multiple new flights in recent months, but Vail may stand out the most in their surprisingly impressive network for winter escapes.
Obviously, Frontier knows Colorado like the back of its headrests, which is based in Denver. But truth be told, it’s a good thing they’re adding Vail because a winter drive through the backroads from Denver is a tough trek!
The 2 lucky cities with direct routes to Eagle County Airport (EGE) are Dallas/Fort Worth and San Francisco.
Initial flights out of DFW will begin December 16th and a few days later out of SFO on December 19th. Both cities will operate flights twice per week for Frontier’s first-ever routes to Vail.
No Better Place To Hit The Slopes!
Since all new flights are slated for the week before Christmas, are you thinking what I’m thinking?
December is when Vail truly becomes a quintessential “winter wonderland”, almost is if you’re stuck inside a snowglobe you don’t want to escape.
The mountains gleam with fresh powdery snow, providing ideal conditions for skiers and snowboarders throughout the month and into the new year.
Better yet, unlike the movie that put Aspen on the map, you won’t be saying to yourself, ‘I expected the Rocky Mountains to be a little rockier than this’, with over 5,000 acres of skiable terrain to shred, bruh. 🤙
The slopes are suitable for beginners, experts, and anyone in between, but these 3 runs are the most sought-after according to Snow.com:
- Dealer’s Choice
- Born Free
- Look Ma
On the flip side, Snow.com also recommends these 3 ‘Legendary Back Bowls’:
‘Tis The Season For Magical Stays And Picturesque Streets
You’ll definitely want to pack your winter-wear, not just for skiing, but for perusing the magical town center lined with trendy bars, boutique shops, and opulent hotels boasting stunning views.
Visiting the unmissable Lionshead Village is a must and feels borderline European. Here is a great spot to make your base in between your ski/snowboarding adventures.
But where should you rest up? That’s a tough question since there’s so many great places to stay!
According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 3 luxury Vail hotels this winter:
- Austria Haus Hotel, A Destination By Hyatt Hotel
- Grand Hyatt Vail
- Tivoli Lodge
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
