Spring in Vail hits like a welcomed exhale. The crowds thin, the pace softens and the entire Valley opens up in a way that feels both elevated and easy. It’s a season when locals and visitors can enjoy the best of Vail without the “busy.” I recently spent an afternoon at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, mostly in the spa, tapping into what’s often called this area’s “secret season.”
“Spring truly is Vail’s best-kept secret,” says Jenny Simonson, Four Seasons Vail general manager. “The days are longer, the energy is lighter and the mountains take on this beautiful, relaxed rhythm that you don’t often get in peak season.”
This time of year, fewer crowds create more opportunity to truly chill and enjoy.
“There’s a softer rhythm to the day,” Simonson shares, “which translates into everything feeling more spacious and relaxed.”
The season also marks the transition into one of the Valley’s most anticipated times of year. Whether someone is here to stroll around town, explore early-season trails or simply unwind by the fireplace, the pace of spring lets them slow down and savor the beauty of the mountains at their own speed. “It’s an incredibly restorative time to be in Vail and the kickoff to wildflower season as we await peak bloom in the mountains,” adds Simonson.
Inside the Spa Refresh
That balance of activity and recovery carries into the resort’s newly refreshed spa, where design and treatment offerings have been updated to reflect both the alpine environment and modern wellness practices.
“Our vision was to create a sanctuary that reflects the natural serenity of the Rockies while elevating the sense of warmth and comfort our guests already love,” says Brandy Velasquez, director of spa and retail at Four Seasons Vail. “The refresh focused on soft, calming design elements, enhanced relaxation spaces and a renewed treatment menu inspired by alpine botanicals and modern wellness techniques.”
The updates are immediately noticeable, from the flow of the space to the details that shape each visit. “Everything was intentional from textures, lighting, aromatherapy, even the flow of the space — all designed to encourage guests to slow down, reset and feel fully supported,” Velasquez says. “The result is a spa experience that honors both the grounding nature of the mountains and the refined comfort Four Seasons is known for.”
Restorative Rituals for Spring
After a spring day spent in the mountains, the spa plays a key role in recovery. “Spring activities in Vail tend to be wonderfully dynamic … all ask a lot of the body,” Velasquez says. “Our treatments are designed with that in mind. We focus on targeted recovery through modalities like deep muscle work, enhancements and our signature alpine-inspired therapies that promote circulation and melt away fatigue.”
I experienced that recovery firsthand with the Après Ski Renewal, a treatment designed to revive tired, overworked muscles. The 80-minute service blends deep tissue techniques with warm stones and locally made arnica balm, targeting areas that need it most while still feeling indulgent. A rejuvenating scalp massage and revitalizing foot scrub add to the full-body reset, while an electrolyte elixir and take-home arnica balm extend the benefits beyond the spa. It strikes a thoughtful balance between therapeutic and restorative, which is exactly what spring in Vail calls for.
Beyond the treatments themselves, the setting enhances the experience. “Guests can ease into a hot soak, enjoy our steam rooms or simply take a moment in our relaxation lounge,” she says. “It’s restorative in a way that feels deeply tied to the environment, highlighting how the mountains themselves are part of the healing process.”
In a destination known for peak-season buzz, spring offers something different — a chance to experience Vail with more access, more flexibility and more room to fully enjoy it.
