Should I replace Vail in my itinerary?

Question

I’ve finally narrowed it down and decided on an itinerary for my December Colorado trip:

Fly ROC to GUC Stay in CB a few days Drive CB to Breck Stay in Breck a few days Drive Breck to Vail Stay in Vail a few days Fly EGE to ROC

However, I’ve been doing some more research and now I’m concerned I won’t be happy with Vail. This isn’t a ski trip - while I’m definitely planning on XC skiing a little bit, I’m also interested in just getting the quintessential hallmark Christmas town experience with other things to do, shopping, village, etc. I was reading some people saying Vail is solely a ski resort rather than a town to visit. Does anyone have any input? Any suggestions to my itinerary?

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Vail is often praised as a premier ski destination, and its main village is designed primarily for ski visitors. During the winter, the town does have festive decorations, shopping, and dining options, but it can feel more like a ski resort complex than a traditional Colorado mountain town with a “quaint Christmas village” vibe. The pedestrian village is charming, but it’s largely centered around ski lodges, ski lifts, and slopeside activities.

If your focus is on experiencing a quintessential Christmas town, with cozy streets, local shops, and a small-town feel, you might find Breckenridge more in line with that vision. Breckenridge retains its historic downtown with Victorian-era buildings, festive lights, local boutiques, and a strong winter village atmosphere even for non-skiers. The town is very walkable and has plenty of non-ski activities like sledding, ice skating, historic tours, and holiday events.

Here are some suggestions to consider for your itinerary:

Keep Crested Butte first for its small-town charm and authentic mountain village feel. Great for XC skiing and scenic winter landscapes.
Spend several days in Breckenridge as planned—this covers both skiing and a festive, walkable Christmas town experience.
Instead of Vail, consider swapping it for either:

Frisco or Silverthorne: Smaller towns near Breck with a quieter, more intimate winter town feel, plus proximity to Breckenridge activities.
Estes Park: If you want to extend your trip further, Estes Park near Rocky Mountain National Park offers festive small-town charm, winter scenery, and non-skiing activities.

If you decide to keep Vail:

Focus on the village area, ice skating rink, shopping, and possibly a short XC ski outing.
Plan to spend fewer nights in Vail than in Breck or CB, as the non-skiing options are more limited.

In summary, Vail is excellent for skiing and a resort-style experience, but if your priority is a Hallmark-style Christmas town with festive ambiance and varied winter activities for non-skiers, replacing Vail with Breckenridge (which you’re already visiting) or another small mountain town might enhance your trip satisfaction. Alternatively, you could shorten your Vail stay to a night or two and focus on nearby towns for the festive experience.

Should I replace Vail in my itinerary?

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