Edwards

Around Edwards

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Town and around · Colorado · 54k people

Edwards

Locals say Vail Valley

Where the peaks meet your soul.

Sunset OrangePine GreenMountain Blue

Welcome to the Vail Valley, where the mountains are your backyard and every season brings a new way to play. Whether you're here for the powder, the trails, or the river, you'll find your rhythm among the peaks. Get ready to breathe in that crisp alpine air and make some memories.

Clubs for Edwards

No clubs for Edwards yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Edwards. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

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Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Edwards. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Vail Ski Resort Legendary ski area with famous back bowls.
  • Beaver Creek Resort Upscale resort hosting World Cup downhill races.
  • Vail Village Pedestrian-only alpine village with shops and cafes.
  • Lionshead Village Base village with gondola access to Vail Mountain.
  • Betty Ford Alpine Gardens High-altitude gardens with alpine flora.
  • Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater Outdoor concert venue with mountain views.
  • Outdoors Skiing and snowboarding at Vail and Beaver Creek
  • Outdoors Hiking on Vail Pass or Booth Falls Trail
  • With kids Riding the gondola to the top of Vail Mountain
  • With kids Visiting the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
  • Evenings Après-ski at Vail Village bars
  • Evenings Concerts at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
  • Locals love Ski slopes
  • Locals love Hiking and biking trails

Through the year

  • GoPro Mountain Games June Adventure sports festival with competitions and music.
  • Vail Jazz Festival Summer Summer jazz performances in intimate venues.
  • Bravo! Vail Music Festival Summer Classical music series featuring top orchestras.
  • Vail Film Festival April Showcase of independent films and filmmakers.
  • Birds of Prey World Cup December Men's downhill ski races at Beaver Creek.

The Vail Valley has a high-altitude mountain climate with sunny days and cool nights. Winters are snowy and ideal for skiing, while summers are mild and perfect for outdoor adventures. Best: The best time to be outside is from June through September when the valley is green and temperatures are mild, and also during the sunny winter days for skiing.

Talk like a local

“Upvalley”
Refers to the towns toward Vail (Avon, Vail)
“Downvalley”
Refers to the towns toward Gypsum and Eagle
“The Corridor”
A local's term for the I-70 corridor through the mountains
“Front Ranger”
A term for a non-local, especially from the Front Range

Getaways

  • Breckenridge Another classic ski town with a historic main street.
  • Rifle Gateway to Rifle Gap State Park and the Colorado River.
  • Steamboat Springs Known for hot springs, skiing, and a western vibe.
  • Boulder College town with the Flatirons and a lively food scene.

Local flavour

Rooting for Denver Broncos (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Denver Outlaws (PLL), Colorado Buffaloes (NCAA), Colorado State Rams (NCAA)

Eat and drink

  • Colorado green chili A spicy pork and green chile stew, a regional staple often served over burritos or smothered on fries.
  • Trout Fresh rainbow or brown trout from the Eagle River, typically grilled or pan-fried at local lodges.
  • Elk
  • Craft beer The Vail Valley has a thriving microbrewery scene, with IPAs and stouts popular after a day on the slopes.

Where people go

  • Ski resorts World-class ski areas like Vail and Beaver Creek, with their groomed runs and luxury villages.
  • Alpine lodges Cozy timber-and-stone lodges with fireplaces, hot tubs, and panoramic mountain views.
  • Hiking and biking trails Extensive networks of summer trails through aspen groves and wildflower meadows.
  • Hot springs Natural hot springs in the nearby mountains, perfect for soaking after outdoor adventures.

Heritage and traditions

The Vail Valley is proud of its world-class ski resorts, its stunning mountain scenery, and its vibrant resort culture that blends outdoor adventure with arts and culture.

This time of year in Edwards

  • Fall foliage September–October Aspen trees turn brilliant gold in late September and October, drawing leaf-peepers.

Say it like a local: “Shred” — To ski or snowboard aggressively.

Festivals

  • Vail International Dance Festival July A summer festival featuring world-class dance companies and performances in Vail and Beaver Creek.
  • Vail Oktoberfest September A traditional German-style festival with beer, bratwurst, and live music in Vail Village.
  • Vail Farmers' Market & Art Show Sundays, June–September A weekly summer market with local produce, artisan crafts, and live music.
  • Avon's Salute to the USA July 4th A July 4th celebration with a parade, fireworks, and family activities in Avon.
  • Minturn Market Saturdays, summer A summer arts and crafts market in the historic town of Minturn, featuring local vendors.
  • Gypsum Daze August A community festival in Gypsum with games, food, and live entertainment.

Landmarks with a story

  • Colorado Snowsports Museum Located in Vail, this museum showcases the history of skiing in Colorado, including exhibits on the 10th Mountain Division and Olympic skiers.
  • Minturn Depot A restored railroad depot in Minturn, dating from the early 1900s, reflecting the area's mining and rail history.
  • Camp Hale A former U.S. Army training ground for the 10th Mountain Division during World War II, located near Redcliff in Eagle County.
  • Eagle County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Eagle, built in the early 20th century, a symbol of the county's ranching and legal heritage.
  • Vail Interfaith Chapel A non-denominational chapel in Vail, offering a place of worship and community gatherings for people of all faiths.

Food traditions

  • Après-ski fondue or raclette A Swiss-inspired tradition of gathering after skiing to enjoy melted cheese dishes, popular in the Vail Valley's mountain lodges.
  • Powder day breakfast On big snow days, locals fuel up with hearty breakfasts before hitting the slopes, often at local diners or mountain cafés.
  • Farm-to-table dining Many restaurants emphasize local ingredients like Colorado lamb, beef, and produce from nearby farms, reflecting the valley's ranching heritage.
  • Fresh trout from the Eagle River Fly fishing is a local passion, and cooking fresh-caught trout is a cherished tradition, often grilled or pan-fried.
  • Elk steaks Elk is a lean, local game meat featured on many menus, a nod to the region's hunting and ranching history.

Music and arts

  • Vail Jazz Festival An annual summer jazz series featuring world-renowned musicians, held at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
  • Bravo! Vail Music Festival A classical music festival with performances by major orchestras, held in Vail and Beaver Creek.
  • Vail International Dance Festival A dance festival that brings together international companies and choreographers for performances and workshops.
  • Vail Valley visual arts scene Numerous galleries in Vail Village and surrounding towns showcase Western, contemporary, and mountain-inspired art.

A little history

  • Pre-1800s Ute Indians inhabited the area
  • Late 1800s Mining boom in the Eagle River Valley
  • 1942–1945 Camp Hale trains the 10th Mountain Division for WWII
  • 1962 Vail Ski Resort opens, transforming the valley into a ski destination
  • 1970s Interstate 70 is constructed through the valley, improving access

Rivalries

  • Vail vs Beaver Creek Friendly debate over which resort has better terrain.
  • Upvalley vs downvalley Locals joke about where the 'real' valley is.
  • Skiers vs snowboarders Good-natured banter on the lifts.
  • Vail vs Aspen Classic Colorado ski town rivalry.
  • Game day First chair on powder days
  • Game day High school ski racing
  • Outdoors Snowshoeing on Vail Pass
  • Outdoors Cross-country skiing at the Vail Nordic Center
  • With kids Adventure Ridge at Vail
  • With kids Vail Recreation Path

The Vail Valley has a laid-back mountain dialect, blending ski slang with a western drawl. Locals often use terms like 'pow' for powder, 'après' for after-ski, and 'gondola' for the lift, and the tone is friendly and outdoorsy.

Only here

  • Vail Village is a pedestrian-only village, unique among major ski resorts.
  • Vail Pass offers a scenic bike path that is popular in summer, with views of the Gore Range.
  • The valley has produced or trained numerous Olympic skiers, including Lindsey Vonn.
  • The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, located in Vail, is one of the highest botanical gardens in the world.
New here? A few tips
  • Drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness; the valley sits above 7,000 feet.
  • Be prepared for sudden weather changes; bring layers even in summer.
  • Traffic on I-70 can be heavy on weekends and holidays; plan accordingly.
  • Parking in Vail Village is expensive; use the free parking lots and shuttle system.
  • Try the local craft beer and green chili—both are local favorites.

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Part of Rifle area

Edwards, CO. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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