Vail Valley
Vail, Beaver Creek, and the Eagle River towns along I-70.
- County
- Eagle (county seat is the Town of Eagle)
- Elevation
- About 7,200 ft in Edwards to about 8,150 ft in Vail
- Population
- 55,731 in Eagle County (2020 Census)
- Downtown Denver
- About 97 to 115 mi ยท about 2 to 2.5 hr on I-70
- Nearest airport
- Eagle County Regional (EGE) in Gypsum, about 37 mi west of Vail
- Ski areas
- Vail and Beaver Creek
Drive times are typical and change with traffic and weather.
Living in Vail Valley
What it's like to live in Vail Valley
The Vail Valley is the stretch of I-70 and the Eagle River from Vail west through Avon, Beaver Creek, and Edwards. Vail sits in the Gore Creek valley under Vail Mountain. Avon is the gateway to Beaver Creek, and Edwards is the biggest year-round community, with schools, a hospital campus, and the Riverwalk. Summer is just as busy as ski season, with the GoPro Mountain Games, Bravo! Vail, and a paved trail that links the towns.
Homes run from condos and townhomes near the lifts to big houses in gated communities like Mountain Star, Cordillera, and Bachelor Gulch. Across the Vail Board of REALTORS MLS area, the 2025 median sale price was $1,495,000 for all properties, $1,950,000 for single-family and duplex homes, and $1,140,000 for townhomes and condos (Vail Board of REALTORS MLS, December 2025 report). The Town of Vail also pays owners to place local-resident deed restrictions on homes through its Vail InDEED program, so some homes for sale carry those limits.
The tradeoffs are real. Prices are high, HOA dues in resort and gated communities can be steep, and each town handles short-term rentals differently. The drive from Denver crosses the Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass, which can close or slow to a crawl in storms. I live on the Front Range, so for the Vail Valley I team up with a local agent I trust and stay with you through the whole move.
The map
Every town in this guide
Hover a pin for a quick look. Click to open that town's guide.
Neighborhoods
Where to look in Vail Valley
Vail
The original resort town under Vail Mountain, with Vail Village, Lionshead, and residential areas from East Vail to West Vail.
Beaver Creek
The resort just south of Avon, with Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead.
Avon
The valley-floor town at the base of Beaver Creek, with Nottingham Lake and the Riverfront gondola.
Edwards
The largest year-round community, with the Riverwalk, golf neighborhoods, and the valley's high school campus.
Eagle-Vail
An unincorporated area between Avon and Vail along US 6 and the Eagle Valley Trail.
Get outside
Things to do in Vail Valley
- 01
Vail Mountain
More than 5,200 skiable acres, including the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin, open since December 1962.
- 02
Beaver Creek Resort
2,082 skiable acres and a summit at about 11,440 feet.
- 03
Eagle Valley Trail
A paved path that links Edwards, Avon, Eagle-Vail, and Vail.
- 04
GoPro Mountain Games
More than 35 competitions in Vail each June, from kayaking to climbing.
- 05
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
A botanical garden in Vail at 8,200 feet, founded in 1985.
- 06
Vilar Performing Arts Center
A 530-seat theater in Beaver Creek Village that opened in 1998.
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FAQ
Vail Valley questions, answered
How far is the Vail Valley from Denver?
Vail is about 97 miles west of Denver on I-70, and Edwards is about 14 miles farther. Plan on 2 to 2.5 hours in good weather and longer on winter weekends.
What are the winter driving realities?
I-70 climbs through the Eisenhower Tunnel at about 11,158 feet and over Vail Pass at 10,662 feet, with grades up to 7 percent. Storms can slow or close both. Good snow tires matter.
Can I rent my home short term?
It depends on the town. Vail requires a town short-term rental license, Avon limits them to an overlay zone, and unincorporated areas like Edwards and Beaver Creek have no county license but many HOAs set their own rules. Confirm with the town and HOA before you buy.
What school district serves the Vail Valley?
Eagle County School District. Battle Mountain High School is in Edwards. Check the district boundaries for any specific address.
Can I live there year-round?
Yes. Edwards, Avon, and parts of Vail have full-time neighborhoods, grocery stores, and medical care. Vail also runs a free bus system that serves most of its neighborhoods.
How high is the Vail Valley?
Roughly 7,200 feet in Edwards to about 8,150 feet in Vail. Give yourself a day or two to adjust.