By Kimberly Lord Stewart, Examiner.com
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. Visitors will find all kinds of deals for spring events. Here are a few ideas from a Colorado local’s view of Vail.
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?
Aria Spa
Vail Cascade Resort and Spa
1300 Westhaven Dr
Vail, CO 81657
(970) 476-7111
www.vailcascade.com
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
Learn. Exercise your brain and your body. The Vail Symposium hosts regular discussions, seminars and speakers series about culture, art, history and current events. For a full list of upcoming events, visit their website. Other great events Vail offers are free concerts, festivals and art fairs. Click the link below for a list of upcoming Vail events.
Vail Events Calendar
www.vail.com/events/event-calendar
