Peak Pursuits: Curated Summer Adventures in America’s Top Ski Towns

ByCathy Bennett Kopf

Traditional summer vacation spots include America’s best beach towns and wooded lake regions. These areas have established family resorts, a wide selection of vacation rentals and tons of kid-friendly activities including mini golf, arcades and carnival rides.

But if you’re looking for an outside the box summer escape, consider a Colorado or California ski destination. Resort towns like Tahoe, Vail, Beaver Creek and Snowmass have a wide range of activities available year-round so guests can take advantage of the great weather and stunning mountain views. And with Peak Pursuits curated activity packages, you can let someone else do the planning for you.

What to Do in Ski Towns After the Snow Melts

I’m not a winter sports enthusiast, so ski towns don’t normally cross my radar. But a September wedding at the summit of Vail mountain was breathtaking and gave me an opportunity to participate in the annual Snowmass hot air balloon festival.

And Tahoe was a stunning summer pit stop during a northern California family road trip.

They are both destinations I’ve had on my must-return list.

A summer vacation in a ski resort town offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Coordinating your to-do list can be daunting. If you’re overwhelmed just thinking about planning this type of trip, consider the new concierge experience packages offered by East West Hospitality.

aerial view of One Riverfront condo complex in Beaver Creek, Colorado
The pool at Beaver Creek’s One Riverfront has stunning Colorado mountain views. Photo credit: East West Hospitality

Vacation Rental + Fun Outdoor Activities = Epic Summer Fun

Peak Pursuits are experience packages curated by the Guest Experience pros at East West Hospitality, a leading hospitality services company that manages a multi-billion dollar portfolio of leisure properties in the US. These packages feature bucket list adventures for families designed to create lasting memories. And they’re customizable so you can create the vacation that works best for you.

To begin, choose your summer mountain vacation destination. East West Hospitality manages properties in Tahoe, California, and Snowmass, Vail and Beaver Creek in Colorado. Then choose the vacation rental property that fits your family and budget. Choices range from apartment-style condo units to luxurious mountain chalets ideal for a large multi-gen family reunion.

Aerial view of the Iron Mountain Hot Springs, one of the outdoor activities available as part of the Peak Pursuits program
Colorado’s famous hot springs are one of the many outdoor adventures you can choose. Photo credit: East West Hospitality

Next, enlist the complimentary assistance of the Guest Experience team to plan your itinerary. This group of local pros work with the best area outfitters to coordinate activities and excursions that work for your family. Here’s a sampling of what’s available at each location:

Beaver Creek & Vail 

  • Take a Llama to Lunch   
  • Guided fly fishing  
  • Whitewater rafting  
  • Horseback riding, clay shoots, off-road adventures and cowboy cookouts  
  • Private golf courses including Beaver Creek Golf Club and Red Sky Ranch Golf Club  

Snowmass 

Tahoe  

Choose Your Own Adventure

My husband and son are avid golfers. On vacation, they often head off for a day of golf. My daughters and I usually sprint to a spa for some quality we-time. But, there’s an undeniable intrigue to having lunch with a llama. I’m sure we’d give that a try … or perhaps we’d finally take a fly fishing lesson.

In addition to your selected Peak Pursuits activities, these mountain towns host a variety of annual festivals and concerts. These include the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series, Bluegrass Sundays at Ajax and the Aspen Food and Wine Classic.

If you’re interested in learning more about a summer Peak Pursuits mountain vacation, contact East West Hospitality.