Getting to Know the Vail Valley: Minturn & Red Cliff

Located along the banks of the Eagle River just 10 minutes southwest of Vail, the historic town of Minturn has kept its old west personality.  Signs of the town’s former mining and railroad identity abound amongst the shops, galleries and restaurants that line the quaint and personable Main Street.  During the winter Minturn is most known for the Minturn Mile, a backcountry ski run that takes you from Vail Mountain right past the Saloon where the chips and margaritas take the edge off sore ski legs.  In the summer, Minturn vibrates with activity from kayak races, the Minturn Jazz Festival and the Minturn Farmers Market (one of the biggest social scenes in the Valley).  The Turntable restaurant reminds us of what made Minturn a town over a century ago with a miniature train set that runs around the restaurant above the booths.

10 miles past Minturn, Red Cliff is tucked back in the surrounding rock.  With its sheltered location and higher altitude Red Cliff enjoys beautiful privacy and the quiet sounds of nature.  It also gets less sun so it stays colder and holds the snow longer.  On a scenic drive between Vail and Leadville, or to see Camp Hale (where the WWII 10th Mountain Division soldiers trained), stop in Red Cliff at Mangos for fish tacos. 

While Minturn and Red Cliff step slowly towards Vail’s modern day standards of homes, and you can find newer constructed homes, there are just as many older homes with more charm and character than the old trucks sitting in their front yards. 

With Ginn Development Company’s new efforts to build Battle Mountain Resort, a private ski and golf resort on the south side of Minturn, heading towards Red Cliff, more rapid change is in the towns’ futures.  The old houses are being bought up, remodeled or ripped down and re-built.  Whether Ginn Resorts has sped up the process, or if Vail’s New Dawn was bound to spread southwest, Minturn and Red Cliff are on the train to a facelift of their own.

For more information on Minturn, Red Cliff or other Vail Valley real estate contact please call or email me or visit my website below.