Scenes from Vail

Vail, Colorado is a celebrated vacation destination for good reason: It's home to some of the best ski slopes in the country, plus enough drinking, dining, and shopping to keep non-skiiers happy, too. Photo editor Michelle Heimerman managed to break free of her desk recently to spend a few days in the pine air and sunshine, adhering to a rigorous schedule of skiing, eating, drinking, and skiing some more. Here, she shares some shots from her trip.

Fresh powder and sun: winter in Vail is basically the opposite of winter in New York City.

Grilling's not just for summer: A few locals take advantage of the sunshine to cook some lunch at 11,250 feet.

Colorado's known for its breweries, and Vail is no exception—on a day off we took advantage of our proximity to Crazy Mountain, Vail Valley's first production brewery, to try out some of the local brews. Our favorite? Mountain Livin' Pale Ale, which features two fruity, "somewhat experimental" American varieties of hops.

Ski tips; tree tips.

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Dropping into Vail's vast back bowls never gets old.

A little après-ski relaxation at Garfinkel's, one of my favorite spots to stop in after skiing to watch the sunset over some burgers and beers.

Coloradoan for "beer fridge."

There's no such thing as too much fresh powder.

Craft distillery 10th Mountain Whiskey's cozy tasting room is a must-visit for their bourbon, whiskey, vodka, and cordials made from local ingredients.

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Picnic, Vail style: A crew of skiiers takes a lunch break at Roadhouse Grill.

The best way to warm up after a day of skiing? Mountain Standard's City Steamer cocktail, made with Smith & Cross Rum, spiced oatmeal syrup, and steamed milk.