How to, Like, Have a ‘Bad’ Time
with Your Teen in Vail This Summerby Eliza Cross No one wants to vacation with a sulky teenager. Choose a destination without “phat” activities, ignore gotta-have amenities like Internet access and MTV, throw in a cramped hotel room – and you might as well just stay home. The staff members at the family-friendly Antlers at Vail hotel are often asked to recommend activities in the Vail Valley, and they’re pros at helping parents connect with teens. Here are their insiders’ tips for the hottest, guaranteed-to-please activities for young adults traveling to Vail this summer.  1. Rapid Transit – Even the hottest day is cool when you’re navigating an icy mountain stream in a kayak. The Vail Valley’s rivers and creeks offer some of the best whitewater kayaking in the world, and even novices can learn how to navigate through the thrilling rapids with a lesson from Alpine Quest Sports (www.alpinequestsports.com). Beginners can take a basics class, advanced kayakers can attend a 'roll' clinic, and those who want to simply sit back and enjoy the ride can partake in a sit-on-top kayak tour.
2. Bounce Back – No mere amusement park ride can compete with the thrill of bouncing sky high on a bungee trampoline at the top of a mountain. Besides, getting to Adventure Ridge on Vail Mountain is half the fun. Ride the Eagle Bahn Gondola up to Eagle’s Nest and Adventure Ridge, get harnessed to the bungee cord and jump on a mega-trampoline with a bounce so high teens can perform acrobatic feats fearlessly. Dual trampolines mean siblings and friends can bounce simultaneously; for more information visit http://vail.snow.com/summerhome.asp. 3. Green Scene – Admission to the spectacular Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (www.bettyfordalpinegardens.org) is free, and with over 2,000 varieties of plants and flowers on the grounds there’s nearly always something in bloom. Teens who enjoy journaling and reading can find plenty of privacy and solitude in the secluded gardens. The organization also offers a special summertime program for 11-to-17-year-olds with fun, hands-on learning about environmental issues paired with related tasks in the garden. Past programs have included Invasive Plant Species, Soil Science, Plant Research and Collection, and Environmental Stewardship. 4. Night Water – Perfect for aspiring Navy Seals, this unusual river rafting experience begins at twilight as an experienced guide steers the raft down Class l and ll water amidst the sights and sounds of nocturnal animals emerging from the riverbanks. As the stars come out, adventurers can observe the night sky and learn about the constellations. Using the same third-generation ITT Night Vision Monoculars as the military and movie industry, participants experience a whole different dimension of the river at night. Contact Lakota River Guides at www.lakotariver.com. 5. Pretty & Pampered – More ‘tweens and teens are heading to spas than ever before, and the Vail Athletic Club (www.vailmountainlodge.com) offers a full-service spa with popular teen treatments like aromatic facials and French manicures. Admission to the fitness facilities in the athletic club is also free for guests of the Antlers at Vail. 6. All Downhill – Rent a mountain bike from Vail Sports (www.vailsports.com), stash it in a special rack on the gondola and ride to the top of the mountain. Hop on and brace yourself for an invigorating rush down the extensive mountain biking trails. Vail Mountain Bike Camps (www.vailmountainbikecamps.com) also offers lessons and camps for mountain biking beginners of all ages, as well as bike racing instruction. 7. Hummin’ Along – Tour backcountry most visitors never see in a guide-driven open air 4 x 4 Hummer with an expert driver from Lakota River Guides (www.lakotariver.com). Travel deep into the rugged central Colorado Rocky Mountains and learn about the area’s natural history, geology, plant life and wildlife along the way. 8. Rock On – The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Vail Rock and Ice Guides (http://www.vailrockandice.com/RockPage.html ) have been teaching and guiding rock climbing for more than a decade. They’ll introduce beginners to the sport at an indoor climbing wall, while advanced climbers can test their mettle on guided tours to natural cliffs around the Vail area.  9. Home Base – Families of all ages appreciate the spacious condominium suites at the Antlers at Vail (www.antlersvail.com), which offer all the comforts of home. Teens stay wired with free Internet service, televisions with DVD and VCR players, and the hotel’s in-house movie library. A full-service kitchen in each suite allows families to keep groceries on hand, serve homemade meals – and even enjoy a cook-out with the gas barbeque grill. Large families can reserve a spacious multi-room suite with up to four bedrooms, while smaller families often take advantage of the Antlers’ cozy one-bedroom condominiums – some with a separate bunkroom.
Since 1972, the Antlers has offered a unique Vail lodging experience in a relaxed mountain setting. Offering studio suites up to four-bedroom condominiums – all with full kitchens, fireplaces and outdoor balconies – the property also includes a sparkling outdoor pool (heated year-round), fitness room, two hot tubs, saunas and a heated parking garage. The Antlers is proud to be a Green Star rated business; Green Star (www.greenstarinc.org) is a voluntary national program that assists businesses in taking a hands-on role in caring for the environment. Summer rates start at $180 per night for a one-bedroom condominium with an additional bunk room that sleeps up to four people. For additional information call the Antlers at 800-843-8245 or visit the website at www.antlersvail.com. | 