Just moved to Vail & the Eagle Valley, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
Weekly · Thursdays 5:30pm · summer season
Free, all-abilities club run with 3-, 6-, and (on interest) 8–10-mile options; strollers and dogs welcome. Check the club’s Instagram/Facebook for each week’s exact route.
Vail Valley Mountain Bike Club
Weekly · Wednesdays 5:45pm · riding season
Seagull Cycles, 422 McIntire St, Eagle
All-abilities club ride, 5–15 miles with 500–2,000+ ft of climbing over 1–2 hours. Follow the club’s Facebook/Instagram for weekly ride details.
7-race series · May–September
Rotating venues — Vail, Eagle, Minturn, Beaver Creek, Arrowhead
The valley’s flagship trail-race series — everything from a hill climb to the Berry Picker and the Arrowhead Half. Morning starts (7–9am); register for the full series or single races.
Ongoing weekly/monthly Strava challenges
Anywhere in Eagle County (virtual club)
A Strava club uniting Eagle County runners with recurring challenges — a good way to find local routes and training partners online rather than a fixed in-person meetup.
Weekly · Wednesdays 6pm · riding season
Mountain Pedaler, downtown Eagle
A casual weekly group ride from the valley’s hometown shop in Eagle. Confirm the meetup before heading out, as shop rides shift with the season.
8-race series · Wednesday evenings · May–August
Rotating venues — Vail, Minturn, Eagle, Camp Hale, Beaver Creek, Edwards
Eight Wednesday-evening races (4–8pm) drawing 1,200+ riders, with Beginner Men/Women categories through Pro/Open plus age groups. Bonus points for trail-stewardship participation.
Open daily, snow-free season
Gore Creek, Vail Pass & Eagle Valley Trail
Not a club ride but the valley’s shared road-riding backbone — a connected paved path system through Vail and down the Eagle Valley that most local road cyclists use. Listed as a starting point until a recurring road group is confirmed.
Walking Mountains Science Center
Recurring through summer · see schedule
Avon campus & Vail Nature Center
Free, gentle naturalist-guided hikes through aspen and riparian habitat — great for families and newcomers. Check the program calendar for current days and times.
Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance
Free guided outings through the season
Rotating soft-surface trails, Eagle County
VVMTA’s Soul Dirt program runs free group hikes, mountain-bike rides, and backpacking trips on soft-surface trails across Eagle County. Dates posted on the VVMTA calendar.
Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance
Weekly · Wednesday evenings · late April–September
Rotating trailheads, Eagle County
Stewardship rather than a hike, but a reliable weekly way to get out on the trails with the community. The Ladies Trail Crew meets once a month May–October; register per event on the VVMTA calendar.
Recurring league session · see gym schedule
Eagle Climbing + Fitness, Chambers Ave, Eagle
The central Rockies’ first large indoor gym runs a recurring adult bouldering league plus intro-to-climbing workshops and youth teams. Confirm the current league night and start date with the gym.
Monthly · Wednesdays at noon · winter season
Vail Nordic Center, Vail Golf Club
A women’s-only classic/skate clinic offered monthly on Wednesdays at noon. Day-lessons run daily; the center grooms 17 km of skate/classic track. Confirm dates each winter with the VRD.
Daily · 10:30am & 1:30pm · winter season
Vail Nordic Center, 1775 Sunburst Dr, Vail
Classic-ski group lessons run twice daily at 10:30am and 1:30pm through the winter, with rentals on site. Season dates vary; verify before visiting.
Walking Mountains Science Center
Seasonal naturalist walks · see schedule
Avon campus, Vail Nature Center & area preserves
Naturalist-led bird walks through meadow, forest, and riparian habitat covering identification and bird habitat — the valley’s main organized birding program. Dates on the program calendar.
Scheduled classes & schools · year-round
Vail Valley Anglers, 97 Main St, Edwards
A renowned Edwards fly shop on the Eagle River running fly-fishing schools and fly-tying instruction alongside year-round guided trips. Class dates by schedule/appointment.
Scheduled 1- and 2-day schools · season
Fly Fishing Outfitters, 1060 W Beaver Creek Blvd, Avon
The valley’s oldest outfitter — a Trout Unlimited Endorsed and Orvis-Endorsed shop in Avon running recurring fly-fishing schools for beginners. Reserve a session date in advance.
Annual volunteer cleanup · late summer/fall
Eagle River corridor, Eagle County
The Eagle River Coalition (formerly Eagle River Watershed Council) rallies hundreds of volunteers each year to clear trash from the river corridor and highways — the valley’s flagship river-stewardship day for paddlers and anglers alike.
3-day course · multiple dates each winter
Classroom + field days on Vail Pass & nearby
A three-day AIARE Level 1 introduction to managing avalanche hazard, with field days on Vail Pass and surrounding terrain. Apex also offers Companion Rescue, Level 2, and intro-to-backcountry courses on scheduled dates.