If you love mountain adventure, there’s no better place to be in early June than Vail. The annual GoPro Mountain Games transform the mountain town into one giant outdoor playground filled with elite athletes, family-friendly activities, live music, and plenty of Colorado energy. The weekend of athletes, arts, music, and mountains is put on annually by Vail Valley Foundation.
Now in its 24th year, the GoPro Mountain Games feature more than 35 competitions across 11 disciplines. Spectators can watch everything from kayaking and mountain biking to speed climbing and the crowd-favorite Trickline Invitational, where athletes perform gravity-defying tricks high above the ground.
One of the most popular attractions is Dog Town, where canine athletes compete in dock diving, agility courses, and speed retrieval events. Best of all, the competitions are free to watch, making it easy to spend the day exploring Vail Village while catching world-class competition along the way.
Beyond the Games
Even if you miss the GoPro Mountain Games, summer in Vail offers plenty to explore. Stroll along Gore Creek, cast a fly rod in the cool mountain water, or visit the beautiful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the highest botanical garden in the United States and the only North American botanical garden dedicated solely to alpine plants.
One of my favorite nearby escapes is Piney River Ranch. Enjoy lunch with spectacular mountain views, rent a canoe or paddleboard, or hike to Piney Creek Falls.
Summer Events Continue
The fun doesn’t stop when the GoPro Mountain Games end. The Vail Valley Foundation keeps the summer calendar packed with events, including performances at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, free concerts during the Bulleit Hot Summer Nights series, and the internationally acclaimed Vail Dance Festival, which brings some of the world’s top dancers and companies to the Colorado Rockies each summer.
Whether you’re chasing outdoor adventure, live music, mountain scenery, or world-class performances, Vail delivers one of Colorado’s most exciting summer getaways starting with the GoPro Mountain Games.