Betty Ford Alpine Gardens:  Opens when the snow melts or Memorial Day weekend. Open daily from dawn to dusk. This lovely botanic garden is made up of four smaller gardens, each with a different perspective of the Rocky Mountains.  Located in Gerald R. Ford Park east of Vail Village, the gardens have no admission charge, but donations are accepted– 970/476-0103.  Bicycling/ Bicycle Tours:    Local area bicycle shops will rent bicycles and offer tours during the spring, weather permitting.  Call for availability-  Venture Sport(Avon)– 970/949-1318 Blues Brews and Barbeque: Escape to Beaver Creek on Memorial Day weekend (May 28 & 29) for great eats and musical treats at the annual Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival.  Join us as visiting BBQ chefs from all over the country as well as Vail Valley favorites.  serve up delicious barbeque while live entertainment rocks Beaver Creek Village.  Kids Activities and cooking demonstrations will also be offered.  For additional information- 970/845-5293. Bowling: Bol @ Solaris located in Vail, features 10 computerized lanes, open 5pm. to-midnight -970/476-5300Located behind the Eagle Diner in  Eagle, Colorado, the Back Bowl features 20  computerized bowling lanes- 970/328-2695. Cave Tours/Tramway Rides: Enjoy the spectacular views during the 4300 foot tram ride to the top of Iron Mountain and the entrance to the  Glenwood Caverns and the historic Fairy Caves. Located just west of Glenwood Springs, guided cave tours are available on request. Open daily, year round- 800/530-1635 Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum: Located in the Vail Village Transportation Center.  The Museum preserves and interprets the history of skiing and snowboarding; honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport and educates the public about Colorado’s rich skiing legacy.  Every Friday from 2:30-4:30pm you can hear first hand accounts of how the 10^th Mountain ski troopers trained and survived at Camp Hale while preparing for World War II.(please call ahead to confirm program)  The museum is filled with galleries of photographs, clothing, videos and ski equipment depicting 120 years of Colorado ski history.  The museum is open daily from10am to 5pm. Admission is free.  970/476-1876.  Note:  Museum will be closed May 1-8 for inventory.  Explore: Take a drive through Glenwood Canyon to Glenwood Springs.  Drive west on I-70 through the canyon; plan a stop at the Grizzly Creek rest stop, Exit 121.  Enjoy a picnic, a short hike, or a stroll along the Colorado River on the Glenwood Canyon bike path.  Continue driving west to Glenwood Springs where you can shop, enjoy a massage or facial in the Yampah Vapor Caves, or relax in the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool.  Head Over to Leadville: T  Take Exit 171 off of I 70, continue driving along historic Hwy. 24 to the frontier West’s wildest, richest silver-mining boomtown!  Leadville is less than an hour from Beaver Creek.  For more information, call the Leadville Chamber of Commerce- 719/486-3900.                                                                                                                                                      Visit Charming  Minturn: From Beaver Creek go east on I 70 to Exit 171, continue on Hwy 24 to Minturn.  This is a great  town to shop for antiques or western gifts.  Also, a fun place for dinner if you’re looking for something casual. Fly Fishing:  For great spring fishing!  Call Fly Fishing Outfitters, 970/ 476-3474, Alpine River Outfitters, 970/926-0900,  Nova Guides, 719/486-2656, Minturn Anglers, 970/827-9500 Golf: Beaver Creek Golf Course scheduled to open Friday, May 13, 970/754-5775.              Vail Golf Course scheduled to open Sat. May 14, 970-479-2260              Eagle Vail Golf Course, Practice facility and ten holes scheduled to open Sat. April 30,              970-949-5267 Hiking:* The White River National Forest Service office has maps and information on easy to expert hiking trails, and will know which trails are now open for hiking.  Located on Highway 24 off I-70 exit 171. (Minturn exit).  Open Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm.  970/827-5715.*Please avoid any activity in regard to the Elk Calving Closure Boundaries on Beaver Creek and Vail Mountain, May 6 through June 30.  Horseback Riding: Located on the ski slopes near the base area, Beaver Creek Stables – 970/ 845-7770 and Vail Stables(in Vai)l 970/476-6941, will offer trail rides as soon as the snow melts. Also offering horseback rides are the Triple G/4-Eagle Ranch (scheduled to open May 3)  970/926-1234,  Hot Air Ballooning: Soar the skies!!  Ballooning offers visitors spectacular early morning birds-eye views of the valley throughout the year.  A champagne picnic follows most flights.  There will be flights throughout the spring, weather dependent. Camelot Balloons– 970/328-2290. Jeep & Hummer Tours:  Above & Beyond 4×4 Guides, Jeep and Hummer Tours 970-390-5337 beginning April 25, .Lakota  970/845-7238 will be offering 4-wheel drive Jeep tours beginning in early May.  Nova Guides– 719/486-2656 will begin offering Jeep &/or ATV tours in late April. Timberline Tours– 970/476-1414 will offer off-road Jeep tours, Pampering: Enjoy a relaxing message in the comfort of your hotel room or condo, or visit a luxurious Beaver Creek spa.  Call Allegria– 970/748-7500 or Spa Struck– 970/845-2225. Rafting: Outfitters begin offering trips based upon “spring run-off” conditions.  Their rafting season will begin in late April/early May.  Please call Lakota–  970/845-7238,  Nova Guides- 719/ 486-2656, Timberline Tours– 970/476-1414 for further  updates on rafting. Shop and Browse for Treasures: Visit the shops in Beaver Creek Village.  Many are offering wonderful savings on winter merchandise.   The art in Beaver Creek’s many galleries is always a pleasure.  Each shop will determine their operating hours during this period.  Skiing: Following are the scheduled 2011 spring closing dates for ski resorts in the area. Please note that the dates listed are subject to change.A-Basin: Closing June 5, 970/468-0718. Loveland: Closing May. 8, 303/571-5580.

Get ready for a summer filled with activities. The rivers are going to be in great conditions due to the espectacular winter! Rafting, kayaking, stand up paddle boat rides, hiking, horse rides, jeep/hummer tours, summer sled dog, rock climbing… Vail / Beaver Creek has it all! You can have a great time and you don’t have to break the bank. Right on the heart of Avon, Beaver Creek West Condominiums, they offer great large condos, 1-4 bedrooms with full kitchen, bbq grill, in unit washer and dryer (very important after a rafting trip), heated outdoor pool, hot tubs and tennis courts (if you still have any energy left), a very friendly staff can help you select your favorite activities and get you a good deal! If you are planning to visit during 4th of July, book quick! They are right next to Nottingham Park where you can have the best views of the fireworks!