(Ed note: Updated March 2009)

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

If you think Vail’s winter food, wine, sports and music festivals blow your hair back, you haven’t seen anything yet. The summer event season officially kicks off with a turbo dose of adrenaline, courtesy of the Teva Mountain Games (Watch Video) (early June). The Mountain Games bring in some of the world’s best athletes to compete head-to-head in kayaking, cycling, rock-climbing running and adventure racing, all intermixed with a frenzy of live music, food and spectator fun.

With the backdrop of the mighty Rockies providing ample acoustics, the world famous Bravo! Music Festival (Watch Video) kicks off in June and brings a series of globally acclaimed small and large ensembles and orchestras to the Gerald Ford Amphitheater (Watch Video) and other venues throughout the valley through Labor Day. From late July through early August, the Vail International Dance Festival (Watch Video) brings the most graceful dancers of every discipline to Ford Amphitheater. Interspersed among all of these festivals are the Hot Summer Nights (Watch Video) free concerts every Tuesday at the amphitheater and opportunities to test your lungs at altitude with the Vail Recreation District’s trail running and bike race series.

HIKING

You may know Vail and Beaver Creek mountains by heart from the top down in the wintertime, but they look completely different in summer, especially if you start your work from the bottom up. Both mountains have an expansive system of hiking trails and guess what? If you’re really not in the mood to go up, it’s not necessary, since both are served by chairlift throughout the summer. Naturally, the resorts aren’t the only places to find scenic hiking trails. Try Booth Falls and Big Horn trails in East Vail, the lusciously green and wildflower-filled Sylvan Lake area in Gypsum or the Colorado Trail up Vail Pass. The hardy hiker can even attempt one of the nearby 14,000-foot peaks such as Mt. of the Holy Cross. No matter where you hike, never go alone and never forget that weather can change rapidly in the summer, so bring the necessary provisions: sturdy shoes and socks, a waterproof jacket, water and snacks, a flashlight and a map. Read more hiking tips.

BIKING