Avon

The Town of Avon used to be known for its prime location at the base of Beaver Creek Ski Resort, but Avon has come into its own in recent years thanks to thoughtful redevelopment projects, new restaurants and businesses, top-notch events and endless outdoor recreation.

One of Avon’s town jewels is Nottingham Lake, where you’ll find everything from standup paddleboarding to concerts to family-friendly festivals. Free buses shuttle visitors and residents around town or up to the ski resort, and a transit center also provides quick and easy access to Vail. The Town has made many improvements in recent years to its pedestrian connections, making the town much more walkable overall.

Avon has become an extension of the resorts, offering mountain living without any sacrifices. Wal-Mart, City Market and The Home Depot anchor the town’s retail business mix, which also offers a variety of unique local retail businesses and some of the valley’s top restaurants. The Westin Riverfront also offers gondola access from town to Beaver Creek Resort.

The Town’s 40,000-square-foot recreation center features an indoor waterslide, a 5-lane lap pool, and a state-of-the-art fitness facility. Just outside its doors, Nottingham Park Pavilion plays host to concerts and events, including the annual Fourth of July festivities which include one of the most impressive fireworks shows in the state.

The real estate in Avon features a combination of townhomes, condominiums and single-family homes. Second-home owners have taken a particular liking to the Westin Riverfront, Basecamp, The Ascent and Brookside.

Wildridge

Perched high above the valley with views of Beaver Creek, Game Creek Bowl and Edwards, Wildridge is a community with a unique identity in the valley.

Just a few minutes up the hill from Avon, Wildridge is a mix of condominium complexes, townhomes, duplexes and single-family homes. Lot sizes here are comparatively larger than what’s available in most neighborhoods throughout the Vail Valley, and the expansive views add to one of Wildridge’s greatest amenities — being surrounded by open space.

Hiking and biking trails are fun for all ability levels, and the community’s dedicated bike lanes — especially the uphill climbing lanes from Avon — add to the community’s bike friendliness. Two playgrounds and a popular dog park make families with children and/or dogs feel especially welcome here.

The extensive trail systems in sunny Wildridge also bring together an eclectic mix of local residents looking to get their lungs pumping outside or just to socialize with neighbors. Many residents enjoy an evening stroll around the neighborhood’s trails, where friendships are formed and neighbors get to know each other.

With no noise from I-70, a quality trail system and expansive views, life in Wildridge is mountaintop living at its finest.