09/02/2026
Every year, September does something remarkable in Vail.
The aspens turn. Not all at once. It happens gradually, hillside by hillside, until the entire Gore Range is gold and amber and the light in the valley has a particular warmth that's impossible to describe and impossible to forget once you've seen it.
This is peak foliage season in one of Colorado's most breathtaking corridors. The hiking trails are quieter than summer. The days are crisp and sunny. The evenings are cool enough for a fire and a glass of something warm.
At Sonnenalp, fall has always been one of our favorite chapters. The hotel is warm and unhurried, the restaurants are at their best and the spa feels exactly right after a morning on the trails.
If you've been thinking about a fall visit, this is your sign.