By Dwight Malone
Vail, Colorado, is located in Eagle County and is about 2 hours east of
Denver. The Home Rule Municipality was formed in 1966, four years after the opening of the Vail Ski
resort. The resort helped open up the area to tourism, which today is a driving force behind the economy.
History
The town was named after highway engineer Charles Vail, who in 1940 routed U.S. Highway 6 into the valley.
Significance
Vail Mountain is one of the largest ski mountains in the United States, with a peak of 12,250 feet and 5,289 acres of land that can be skied on.
Economy
Besides being a destination for skiing, Vail is a popular summer location for hiking and horseback riding, and the annual Vail Film Festival is held in the spring.
Transportation
Vail promotes a car-free atmosphere and has a free shuttle-bus system that is one of the largest in the United States.
Geography
Vail covers a total of 4.5 square miles and has an average elevation of 8,150 feet.
About the Author:
Dwight Malone is a journalist who has worked for various Chicago-area newspapers, including the "Chicago Tribune" and "Naperville Sun." He has been a writer, editor and graphic designer since 2000. Malone studied journalism at Eastern Illinois University.
