Vail introduces new guided hiking, biking program

Looking for a fun way to explore Vail Mountain? Vail's newest summer offering – guided hiking and mountain biking tours – are tailored to individuals or groups who may be less familiar with the mountain or not yet comfortable venturing out on their own.

“Many of our summer guests come from locations around the world where hiking and mountain biking are not easily accessible,” said Jeff Althage, general manager of Adventure Ridge at Vail Mountain. “The new guided hiking and mountain biking tours offer our guests the perfect way to begin experiencing the beauty and expanse of Vail Mountain beyond the scenic gondola rides with the comfort of having a knowledgeable and experienced guide leading the way,”

For guests interested in exploring the mountain by foot, guided hiking tours led by a certified naturalist from Walking Mountains' Nature Discovery Center will take guests on a two to three hour tour beginning at Eagle's Nest. Two tours are offered daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., featuring a leisurely pace for all ability levels, spectacular mountain views and an optional lunch. On the morning tour guests will hike up the Ridge Route trail to Wildwood before hiking back down to Eagle's Nest via the Grand Escape trail; on the afternoon tour guests will hike down the Berrypicker trail to the base of Lionshead. Guided hiking tours can accommodate up to 16 people and private tours are available with advanced reservation.

Guests looking for an introduction to pedaling their way down trails on Vail Mountain that are appropriate for their ability levels and interest with the comfort of a knowledgeable guide will enjoy the guided mountain biking tour. These tours meet at the base of Lionshead near the ticket office before heading up the Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19) to Eagle's Nest and riding down the Liondown and Gitalong Road trails. Bike tours are offered daily at 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. and can accommodate up to 12 people. Each guided tour takes two laps down the mountain. Lunch options are also available and private tours are available for up to eight people with advanced reservation.

For more information about Vail Mountain's guided hiking and biking tours visit www.vail.com, or stop by the Mountain Information Center, open daily from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).