Top three things to do in Vail other than ski

Snow-sport lovers, face it, there are days when one's knees, quads and gluts need a break from skiing or boarding. After all, vacations are about more than no pain, no gain. And finding things to do other than ski in Vail Valley is easy this season, especially since the town is celebrating it’s 50th birthday. Visitors will find all kinds of deals for spring events. Here are a few ideas from a Colorado local's view of Vail.

  1. Relax. Make an appointment at the spa. All too often on ski vacations the hotel is nothing more than a place to store your skis and rest your weary body. Vail hotels are way more than just a storage locker. For instance, Vail Cascade’s spa, Aria is the town's highest rated spa by Conde Nast Traveler. There is no end to the types of spa packages you and the Aria experts can think up. Your aching muscles say yes, so why not schedule a treatment or two. The spa is offering $25 off any 50-minute spa treatment from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Aria Spa

Vail Cascade Resort and Spa

1300 Westhaven Dr

Vail, CO 81657

(970) 476-7111

www.vailcascade.com/

  1. Dine. When you take off the ski boots, it’s time to get away from the mountain and enjoy a good meal. The Sebastian Hotel’s newly redesigned restaurant Leonora is worth seeking out. Chef Sergio Howland has created a small plate bistro menu that offers a blended family of cuisine from warmer southern-hemisphere climates and alpine fare from Colorado. Chef Howland's crudo and ceviche is so bright and fresh, you will forget you are in the mountains. Save room for the croquetas with Serrano ham and idiazabel cheese—they are decadently luxurious. For an entrée, you can’t go wrong with the braised veal cheeks. Hide your plate from your fellow diners because they will covet the fork tender veal and the olive oil mashed potatoes. Though you may have skied off a few calories during your stay, it would be a shame to skip dessert at Leonora. The melting chocolate sphere is an edible piece of art. Watch closely as the hot chocolate ganache melts away the globe and blankets the plate with sweet goodness. For pure comfort, order the rice pudding served in its own farm-style jar.

Leonora

Sebastian Vail

18 Vail Rd

Vail, CO 81657

(970) 477-8000

www.thesebastianvail.com/

  1. Learn. Exercise your brain and your body. The Vail Symposium hosts regular discussions, seminars and speakers series about culture, art, history and current events. On Feb. 28, 2013. Vail Symposium is hosting a founder’s of Vail event. Hear stories from Vail’s founding citizens who have lived in the town since the early 1960s. Other upcoming events in town include the Vail Film Festival from March 28-31. Link below for a full schedule.

Vail Events Calendar

www.vail.com/events/event-calendar

Thank you for your interest in this story. Proceeds for all Examiner.com stories written by Kimberly Lord Stewart are donated to charity for an educational farm for children in Colorado ( Ed and Ruth Lehman Longmont YMCA). Link here for more information, subscribe for regular story updates, and follow on facebook. Thank you again. Every story and photo click will go far to help children's health and wellness.

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, Denver Travel Examiner

Kimberly Lord Stewart is a former international Pan Am flight attendant and caterer, who traded in her wings and chef's jacket to be a food journalist, restaurant critic and travel journalist. Stewart is home wherever the world takes her. She has traveled to as many as 35 countries and lived in...

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