We asked three Vail Valley locals what Kinship means to them — here’s what they shared.
Kinship:
The unspoken bond between those who share the mountain air — skiers on the same powder day, hikers passing on the trail, locals and visitors trading stories. In the Vail Valley, kinship is more than family — it’s the deep connection forged through adventure and a shared love for this alpine life.
Christopher Green
Owner of The Bookworm of Edwards
“When I settled here, I made a very deliberate choice about the kind of life I wanted to lead and in what kind of environment. Mountain life poses a very different set of opportunities and challenges. We share a love of hidden powder caches, favorite trails and vistas, favorite bends in the river for fishing. We also share a deep concern for how those things are utilized and what may threaten them. We all smell the smoke and pray for rain. We greet the flowers in spring with anticipation. This, regardless of background, beliefs, the million categories we divide ourselves into, this is our kinship.”
Michael Holton
Owner of Mountain Blind Man
“Every street. Every doorstep. And always, a dog. My friend Dave visited them all — every road in the Valley. When Brady and I took over Mountain Blind Man, we inherited more than a business. We inherited a passport to kinship. To stories. To living rooms and laughter and fabric debate! I hear how people found their way here, what keeps them rooted and, of course, the names of their dogs. Kinship isn’t just family — it’s neighbors, pets, mountains and winding roads. The threads that stitch us together. The fabric that makes this Valley home.”
Kordula Schmidt
Owner of Manor Vail Spa
“When I think of kinship in the Vail Valley, I see the beautiful evolution of a self-made family born from our love for the mountains. But that love comes with its sacrifices. Living in this mountain paradise means working hard, especially during the holidays when most are with family back home. Instead of taking time off, we lean into our mountain community, forging close-knit friendships that feel more like family. It’s in those shared gondola rides, the thrill of fresh powder beneath our skis, that we find a bond that has understanding and meaning — a sense of belonging that redefines what family can be. We wouldn’t trade these moments for anything, because in the end, it’s the love and connection we build here that makes this place so extraordinary.”
