Summer is Here!

Summer in the Vail Valley is here, and it's already delivering the gorgeous weather and low humidity that make this place so special. The full lineup of world-class events and activities is in full swing — and we can't wait to share it with you.

Yes, this past winter was a tough one, and like much of the West, we're feeling the effects of reduced snowpack in our water supply. We're being thoughtful about irrigation, and fire restrictions will likely be in place through the season — small adjustments that reflect our deep commitment to this remarkable landscape we all love.

But here's the good news: meteorologists are increasingly optimistic that a developing El Niño in the Pacific Ocean is building toward a significant weather pattern shift — one that could bring meaningful precipitation this summer and carry real momentum into next winter. Things are looking up.

In the meantime, the Vail Valley in summer remains exactly what you know and love: stunning mountain scenery, incredible trails, vibrant community events, and that unbeatable combination of warm days and cool evenings. The conversation around town might touch on reservoir levels the way we usually talk snow depths in January — but that's just part of life in a place worth caring about.

We're so glad you're coming. This valley is as welcoming and alive as ever, and we look forward to seeing you here this summer!

Dana Gumber & Mike Connolly

As always, the summer music scene in and around the valley is hopping - bookmark these links for easier reference!

That is only a small slice of what’s on statewide, but there’s plenty to take in.

We are partial to the free Hot Summer Nights program at the GRFA and movie night in the Bravo!Vail festival (Fantasia this summer!) is one of the best nights of the series.

And it’s just about Market Season -

Zuma Has Landed (Well, Almost)

If you needed another reason to get excited about summer in Vail, here it is: Zuma opens at The Sebastian on June 11th, and it's kind of a big deal.

For those not already in the know, Zuma is a globally celebrated contemporary Japanese restaurant with over 25 locations — think London, Dubai, Milan, Miami. It's their first new U.S. opening in over five years, and they chose Vail. Wethink it’s because they know how discerning a group of diners you all are!

The concept is built around izakaya-style dining — that wonderfully social Japanese tradition of sharing plates, good drinks, and great conversation — which, honestly, sounds like it was invented with Vail summers in mind. Pull up a stool at the robata grill for skewers, settle in at the sushi counter for expertly crafted nigiri, or sink into a booth for the legendary Saikyo Miso black cod — all to a backdrop of DJ-spun tunes.

The interior is something else: carved timber screens, Japanese beams with glowing amber resin inlays, wool-lined booths, and backlit washi rice paper at the bar — cozy and cool in equal measure.

Whether you're sliding in for happy hour après or settling in for a full dinner under the stars, Zuma is shaping up to be the place this summer. Make your reservation early — everyone is going to want to check out Vail’s newest dining spot. Reservations can be made on Open Table, or on the Zuma website.

Zuma Vail, 16 Vail Road, Vail, CO 81657. [email protected], 970.445.4500

Let's talk about one of the Vail Valley's best-kept not-so-secret secrets: Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) — sitting just 35 minutes from Vail Village and arguably the most civilized way to arrive in the mountains.

Everyone knows EGE in the winter but here's the thing — EGE is a year-round airport, and summer is a genuinely great time to use it.

American, Delta, and United all operate at EGE, with direct flights connecting to major hubs including Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami (see the route map below).

Summer service has been quietly growing too — United's Chicago and Houston routes, added just last summer, saw dramatically improved load factors, with Chicago jumping from 51% to 69% filled seats, which is airline-speak for "people figured out this is a good idea."

The math is simple: you land, you grab your bag, and you're in Vail before most people have navigated the construction maze that is DIA these days to even pick up their bags!

No two-hour mountain drive. No white-knuckling it through the Eisenhower Tunnel behind a camper van doing 47 mph. Just — here.

The airport sits at 6,547 feet, so you even start acclimating on arrival. Consider it a head start on your first hike.

Book early, fly direct, and spend the time you saved on a trail — or at the new Zuma. No judgment either way.

As a local travel advisor I can help you navigate all the facets of your trip. Please connect with me on [email protected] or follow my Facebook page at Connolly Travel for options on travel to the Vail Valley and beyond.

I look forward to helping you plan your next visit!!

The Big Picture

The leveling that began in 2024 is continuing after record-setting years in 2022 and 2023, but one metric remains stubbornly resistant: prices are not falling, even after more than doubling in the two years following the pandemic. From 2020 through 2025, the median price for a home in Eagle County increased 111%. That appreciation isn't reversing — it's just no longer accelerating at the same breathtaking pace.

On the supply side, things are loosening up. New listings and sold single-family homes are both up through April in Eagle County — a welcome development for buyers who have been starved for inventory. Transaction volume, however, is running softer than last year, and homes are sitting on the market longer as buyers take their time and scrutinize pricing more carefully than they did during the frenzy years.

The Ultra-Luxury Factor

One of the most striking characteristics of the 2026 Eagle County market is how heavily the upper end is carrying the overall numbers. Nineteen sales of homes priced above $3 million account for more than 40% of total sales volume in the first quarter, including two transactions above $20 million that alone represented $45.4 million in volume. Strip those out and the picture looks considerably quieter.

Resort vs. Down-Valley

The divergence between the resort market — Vail, Beaver Creek, Arrowhead, Cordillera — and the broader county continues to be a defining feature. The resort end is holding up well on price, buoyed by cash-heavy buyers who are largely insulated from interest rate pressures. In resort areas, the very wealthy are riding out economic uncertainty by buying real estate — a dynamic that tends to put a floor under values even when broader sentiment softens.

That said, Vail's average sales price for a home in March fell 3.7% from 2025, and while closed and pending sales saw increases compared to last spring, new listings in March were down 4.2% year-over-year — though overall active inventory remains 6.9% higher than March 2025. The resort market, in other words, has more to choose from but is moving somewhat more cautiously.

The poor ski season hasn't helped. A winter that underdelivered on snowfall predictably dampened urgency among prospective resort buyers, and that hesitation has carried into spring.

The Bottom Line

Price and property condition are once again paramount — buyers are scrutinizing comparable sales data in a way that simply wasn't happening during the land-rush days of 2020–2022. Well-priced, well-presented properties are still moving. Overpriced ones are sitting. The market is, by most measures, healthier and more rational than it has been in years — which is good news for everyone except those who bought at peak and are hoping to cash out at a premium today.

With summer arriving and the prospect of an El Niño winter generating optimism, the second half of 2026 could see renewed momentum — particularly if buyers who held back through an underwhelming ski season decide it's finally time to pull the trigger.

Please reach out to me if I can help guide you to purchase property here or to sell. Click here for all of my current listings.

Lights Out and Away We Go — F1 Arcade Hits Denver

If your idea of a perfect pit stop involves a cocktail, a racing simulator, and bragging rights over your friends, Denver just delivered.

F1 Arcade has officially opened in Denver's RiNo District — one of six U.S. locations including Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Chicago (coming soon) — and it's exactly as ridiculously fun as it sounds.

The 15,000-square-foot space on Walnut Street packs in 69 full-motion Formula 1 racing simulators, a full-service bar, and a globally inspired food menu. You can race solo, go head-to-head with a friend, or form teams of four or more and take turns competing for points while your teammates lose their minds cheering from the sidelines. Skill levels range from rookie to elite, so there's no excuse not to play — and no shortage of excuses when you lose. Full disclosure, I got waxed by my 25 year old son on a recent visit!

F1 Arcade comes from the same creative minds behind Puttshack and Flight Club, so they know a thing or two about making competitive fun into a proper night out. And here's a fun local twist: Formula 1 itself is owned by Denver-based Liberty Media, making this feel like something of a homecoming.

They also host F1 watch parties where you can catch live race coverage on big screens surrounded by fellow fans, with food and specialty cocktails to match the occasion.

Whether you're flying through Denver on your way to the valley or making a dedicated trip down the mountain, this one is worth building a day around.

2734 Walnut St, RiNo District, Denver

Meet Your New Favorite Summer Drink

Sangria gets all the glory. But Spain's locals have been quietly keeping something better to themselves for decades, and it's time the Vail Valley got in on the secret.

Tinto de verano — literally "red wine of summer" — is sangria's lighter, low-maintenance cousin: a two-ingredient sparkling sipper made with red wine and lemon soda, poured over ice and ready in about 30 seconds. No overnight steeping, no brandy, no fuss. Just cold, fizzy, and utterly refreshing.

Originally from the southern coast of Spain — think beach bars in Málaga and Marbella — tinto de verano has more effervescence than sangria thanks to its higher soda content, which makes it almost absurdly thirst-quenching on a warm afternoon. The kind of drink that makes you want a patio and nowhere to be.

The recipe couldn't be simpler: a fruity, medium-bodied red — Tempranillo or Garnacha work beautifully — paired with lemon soda over a generous glass of ice. Dress it up with a few citrus slices and you've got something that looks far more impressive than the effort involved. A splash of red vermouth if you're feeling fancy.

At altitude, in the sunshine, after a long hike or a lazy afternoon on a deck somewhere in the valley? This drink was practically invented for that moment. Make a pitcher. Make two. You'll figure out the rest.

Two parts red wine. One part lemon soda. Ice. Done. You're welcome.