Vail Valley has quickly become a prime destination for remote workers in the wake of the pandemic. Are you thinking about a Vail workation too? With many companies allowing employees to operate from home, workers are packing up and coming to Vail to stay and play. Vail presents a world of outdoor activities and plenty of fresh air, along with ample open space that is perfect for social distancing.
Best known as a premier vacation destination, the valley has wonderful homes and condos that are ideal to work remotely. There are marvelous lake homes and ski homes, as well as smaller condos and townhomes all over Vail Valley. Breckenridge is an exciting mountain town with a bustling social scene that is one driving pass closer to Denver. Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper Mountain and Keystone are best known for their tremendous skiing, and mountain towns like Avon, Eagle Edwards, Frisco and Gypsum each present their own unique brand of unpretentious, refined mountain living.
Working remotely in Vail certainly has its benefits. If you want to escape the mundane and plan a “workation” (a working vacation) to Vail, there are a few things you need to know. From pre-planning and preparing for your remote work trip to where to live and what to do in the valley when you get here, we have a few tips and tricks that can ease your transition to serene Rocky Mountain living.
Why Take a Workation?
The premise of a workation to Vail Valley is to take you or your endeavors to the next level. A workation is a memorable, sustainable experience with a work-life balance that is ideal for your professional and personal well-being. It doesn’t matter if you are an individual working remote or part of a larger team. Being on a workation promotes new thinking, new ideas and a reinvigorated spirit.
If you’re bogged down at work, or struggling to generate that next big idea, breaking out of your normal surroundings and experiencing new things might be the way to jump-start your creativity. A workation to Vail is a fantastic idea if you have a giant project that needs your undivided attention, or if you just wrapped up a huge venture and want to unwind a bit but still stay on the clock.
Why Does the Workation Concept Work?
Escaping your regular surroundings and normal routines, ang going to a pleasant and nourishing environment like the Vail Valley can spark motivation, energy, creativity and ideas. A workation can recharge your internal battery, renew your enthusiasm and rededicate your focus. It’s a time for self-reflection and growth. Companies that allow their employees to work remotely in Vail find great benefit to their overall bottom line, especially when it comes to productivity and overall employee comfort.
How Do I Work Remote in Vail?
Working remote from Vail is relatively simple. The first step is to seek approval from your employer, if needed. Once you get the OK from work, you can begin planning your workation. The first step would be to set a budget for your accommodations and pick where you want to stay.
The second step would be to secure your transportation to Vail. You can get the best rates on airfare and car rentals if you make your reservations early.
Third, make plans for any activities you’d like to do while you’re in Vail. You can save a considerable amount of money by purchasing your lift ticket or ski pass in advance if you plan on skiing or snowboarding. If your workation is a month or longer, you may want to consider getting a season pass. If you run the numbers, a season pass could be cheaper than paying day to day.
How Long is a Workation?
Most work vacations to Vail are 30 to 45 days. Most people find this is the perfect amount of time to get away and recharge. If your workation is too short, you might not have enough time to relax and do everything you want to do. Remember, a workation is different from a traditional vacation because it’s more like living in Vail temporarily than just visiting. It’s important to stay long enough to feel engrained to the community and truly connect with your new surroundings. In fact, it’s not uncommon for some working vacations to last 60 days or more.
Important note: Stays in Colorado that are longer than 30 days are not subject to the same heavy taxes that are imposed on shorter stays. In some instances, a stay of 30 days may be cheaper than a stay of 25 days because of the increased taxes. Thirty days is the magic number, so keep that in mind when you’re making your stay arrangements.
Should I Bring My Family?
Some people choose to fly solo and concentrate 100 percent on work while others need their beloved family close by. The choice is completely yours. One of the great benefits of Vail is its diverse selection of condos and townhomes. There are wonderful one-bedroom mountainside condos that are ideal for working remote on your own or with your mate. Or there are larger private homes and estates that are on the slopes or in more secluded areas of the valley that are best for families. Many larger homes have dens, offices or media rooms that provide extra quiet space and room to spread out and work on larger projects.
When Should I Come to Vail?
The best thing about Vail is there is no down time. The winters are legendary, with world-class skiing and snowboarding from November through April (or later). It’s also a time for sleigh rides, s’mores, snowshoeing and magnificent winter festivals. In the summers, bluebird skies welcome hikers and bikers to local trails while the winter runoff fills the valley’s pristine waterways. From stand-up paddle boarding and Gold Medal fly-fishing in the rivers to horseback riding, hand gliding, longboarding and hot-air balloon rides, there are countless ways to discover the Rocky Mountains in the summertime.
Where Should I Stay?
Where you stay should largely depend on what you plan to do while you’re here. If you want to maximize your time on the mountain, consider a ski condo at one of the three base areas – Vail Village, Golden Peak or Lionshead. For a contemporary, luxury ski retreat, plan a getaway to upscale Beaver Creek. If you’re visiting in the summer, Lake Dillon near Silverthorne and Dillon has rousing boating and fishing with a picture-perfect backdrop. Breckenridge is an authentic mountain destination for all four seasons, with wonderful shops and dining, along with easy access to four area ski resorts.
What If I Decide to Stay Longer?
If you decide to extend your stay – no problem! You might be perfect as a second home owner who rents their residence out during the months they are not here. We know Vail Valley real estate well, and we hear all the time from vacationers who visited Vail and decided to make it their forever home. In fact, a good amount of our real estate clients first came to Vail on a vacation! There are successful employees who visit the valley every summer or winter for a workation. Many choose to come in the winter so they can work during the early mornings and late afternoons to free up the middle of the day for powder turns on the mountain! Summers are perfect for an early morning bike ride or hike, then work, followed by a late-afternoon round of golf and a fantastic dinner at one of Vail Valley’s finest eateries.
