The sister towns of Colorado‘s Vail and Beaver Creek have evolved into premier destinations for discerning, sophisticated travelers. Their cultural calendars are filled with prestigious festivals and events. Both towns offer sublime summertime hiking, mountain biking, fishing, golfing, and gondola rides. And of course, refined winter skiing in the Rockies. But as a Coloradan colleague said, the towns “are as different as skiing and snowboarding.”

Vail, conceived in the early 1960s, is reminiscent of a Swiss alpine village. Its pedestrian-friendly streets ooze upscale shopping, art galleries, and diverse culinary delights. Vail’s sprawling, world-renowned ski slopes and commitment to the arts make it a vibrant, year-round destination. The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater on Gore Creek hosts concerts, ballets, and other cultural events.

Boutiquey Beaver Creek (opened in 1980) exudes a sense of exclusivity, with its meticulously groomed trails, exceptional service, and an intimate European-style village that sits snugly upside the mountain. Come for tranquility complemented by cozy fire pits, ice-skating rinks, and elegant dining. — Kim Grant