Vail is a popular ski resort town situated in Eagle County in the Rocky Mountains. It's surrounded by the White River National Forest and features one of the top ski mountains in the entire world. It's a popular summertime destination for hiking, bicycle riding, fishing and other outdoor activities. Tourism is the primary factor for the economy. Most places are accessible by walking. The city offers majestic scenery, quality restaurants and nightlife.

History

The Ute Indians were the original inhabitants. During the late 1800's ranchers and miners seeking gold and silver arrived in the region. It was named in tribute to Charlie Vail, a state highway engineer. The population significantly increased due to the construction of a highway connecting the city with Denver. During World War II Vail was utilized for mountain survival training by the 10th Mountain Division. In 1962 the U.S. Forest Service granted a permit to Peter Seibert and Earl Eaton and Vail Mountain was officially available for skiing.