Vail doesn't shut down once the skiers go home. Instead, visitors and locals alike trade their skis for mountain bikes and hiking boots, and hit the trails again. The resort closes parts of the mountain to access from early May to late June to protect elk-calving habitats, but other than that, warm-weather activities cover the mountains.

The Piney River Ranch, about 12 miles north of Vail on Piney Lake (tel. 970/477-1171), offers a variety of outdoor activities, including horseback rides, wagon rides, and a fishing lake. Nova Guides, P.O. Box 2018, Vail, CO 81658 (tel. 888/949-6682 or 970/827-4232; www.novaguides.com), offers guided fishing, mountain-bike, and off-road tours, plus white-water rafting. The Tenth Mountain Division Hut System, which runs for 300 miles, is open to hikers and mountain bikers.

Contact Vail Recreation District (tel. 970/479-2279) for information on various activities, including the town's children's programs. You'll find many of the companies listed below on the Internet at www.visitvailvalley.com, and www.vailalways.com also is a good source for information on summer activities. For maps and information on the numerous activities in the White River National Forest, consult the Holy Cross Ranger District Office.