With its world-class skiing, year-round outdoor lifestyle, and enduring appeal among second-home buyers, Vail continues to attract global interest from luxury buyers seeking a Rocky Mountain retreat. To learn more, we spoke with Adi Slifer, Managing Partner at The Agency Vail— here, she discusses the latest trends shaping the valley, how buyer preferences and new development are influencing the market, and what opportunities lie ahead in 2027.
What are the biggest market trends shaping the Vail real estate landscape right now? And what do you think is driving them?
One of the biggest things we’re seeing is that buyers are thinking differently about their homes in Vail. People are realizing Vail isn’t just a place to vacation. It’s a place where you can build a life. It used to be that people were primarily looking for a ski house where they’d spend a few weeks each winter. Now they’re thinking about how they can spend more time here, whether that’s working remotely, spending the entire summer, or eventually making Vail their full-time residence.
People are discovering that Vail is so much more than a resort town—it’s a real community where you can raise a family and feel connected to the town. At the same time, you meet fascinating people from all over the world who bring different backgrounds and perspectives to this little mountain town. That’s a pretty unique combination. You have the intimacy of a small community, but with a much broader, international feel. Vail offers something many places can’t: the chance to raise your family in a close-knit community while being exposed to people, cultures, and experiences from around the world.
And as people have more flexibility in where they work and how they spend their time, they’re realizing they don’t have to wait until retirement to enjoy this lifestyle. They can build a life here now, and I think that’s a big part of what’s driving the shift from vacation homes to homes people want to spend more and more time in.
Which areas of the Vail Valley are growing in popularity? And what’s drawing buyers to them?
I think buyers are discovering just how much variety there is in the Vail Valley. We have these wonderful communities, all with their own personalities, and it really comes down to how someone wants to spend their time here.
Vail Village and Lionshead will always have a special appeal. There’s something wonderful about being able to walk out your door, grab a coffee, get on the mountain, and meet friends for dinner without ever getting in your car. That convenience is hard to beat.
Beaver Creek offers a different experience. It’s a little quieter and more private, with incredible skiing, beautiful homes, and a very strong sense of community.
As you move down valley to Edwards, which includes Cordillera, Arrowhead, and Singletree, people are especially drawn to homes for full-time livability. You can have more space, beautiful views, golf, hiking, and access to the outdoors, while still being close to everything that makes the valley so special.
“Vail offers something many places can’t: the chance to raise your family in a close-knit community while being exposed to people, cultures, and experiences from around the world.”
What types of homes are in highest demand today?
We’re definitely seeing people think much more about how a home actually lives. They want great gathering spaces, room for family and friends, outdoor living areas, and places where everyone can be together without being on top of each other. For some buyers, that means a beautiful condo in the Village where everything is right outside their door. For others, it’s a larger home with privacy, land, and incredible views.
Outdoor living space has also become incredibly important. There’s a reason people come to Vail and choose to own a home in the mountains, and it’s to enjoy being outside. Whether it’s a beautiful deck with mountain views, a patio with a fire pit, or a backyard where the kids can run around, people want to feel connected to their surroundings. And it’s not just about summer. There’s something pretty special about sitting outside by a fire on a snowy winter evening. I think the best mountain homes really embrace that connection between indoor and outdoor living in all seasons.
New construction is always exciting in Vail because opportunities are so limited, especially in our core resort communities. We’re surrounded by mountains and protected land, so there’s only so much room to grow. You can’t just create another Vail Village. My dad, Rod Slifer, used to say all the time, “There is no more.” It was one of his favorite things to tell people about Vail real estate, and it’s true. That scarcity is part of what makes owning property here so special, and when a new development does come along, it’s a rare opportunity to own something new in a location that’s nearly impossible to replicate.
But I also don’t think a home has to be brand new to be special. Some of the most wonderful properties in Vail have incredible character and locations that would be almost impossible to replicate today.
“People are placing a greater value on time together. They want their children and grandchildren to have a place to gather, and they want to build memories around experiences rather than things. [Vail] is a place where families can come together across generations.”
Beyond world-class skiing, why do you think buyers are falling in love with Vail today? How are those draws shaping what they look for in a home?
What makes Vail so special is that it has this incredible combination of being a world-class destination with an authentic year-round community, while still feeling like a small mountain town. We have one of the best ski mountains in the world in our backyard, incredible restaurants, shopping, arts and culture, and all these amazing experiences. But you can also walk through the Village and run into five people you know. Your kids grow up skiing together, you see your friends at community events, and people genuinely care about one another. There’s a real sense of belonging here.
And as much as I love our winters, I think the summers are just as special. The events we have here are incredible, whether it’s the GoPro Mountain Games, the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, or our Fourth of July parade, which I happen to think is the best in the world. There’s always something happening, and I love how these events bring our community together while also drawing people from all over the world. Not to mention the hiking, biking, golf, fishing, and just being outside in this beautiful place. It’s hard to beat, and I think summer is when a lot of people really fall in love with Vail.
Because of all of these year-round events, we’re seeing buyers look for homes that are more than just a ski retreat. They want a place where their family can spend summers together, where their kids and grandkids will want to come back year after year, and where they can create traditions that last for generations. To me, that’s the magic of Vail. You get the sophistication and amenities of a world-class resort, but you never lose that small-town feeling.
Are you seeing any change as to who is buying?
Vail proper is still very much a second-home market, and I think it always will be. But what I find interesting is that the line between a second home and a primary home is becoming a little more blurred. People have more flexibility than they used to. They can work from anywhere, spend longer stretches of time here, and build their schedules around the things they love doing. We’re seeing families who initially think they’ll come for a few ski trips and a couple of summer weeks, and before long they’re spending more and more time in the valley.
I also think people are placing a greater value on time together. They want their children and grandchildren to have a place to gather, and they want to build memories around experiences rather than things. That’s something Vail does incredibly well. It’s a place where families can come together across generations, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Looking ahead to 2027, what are you most excited about in the Vail Valley? What would you tell buyers who are thinking about making a move?
What excites me most is seeing Vail continue to evolve while holding on to what made it special in the first place.
My dad came to Vail in 1962 and helped get it started. He was part of this incredible group of pioneers who saw what Vail could become, but I think what made that generation so special was that they weren’t just building a ski resort. They were building a community. I grew up watching my dad and mom pour their heart into this place, and one of the things they taught me was that being part of a community means taking care of it and the people in it. That has always stuck with me.
I think we have a responsibility to carry that same spirit forward. Vail has grown into one of the premier mountain destinations in the world, but we can’t lose the kindness, relationships, and sense of community that got us here.
As for buyers thinking about making a move, my biggest piece of advice is to experience Vail beyond a ski vacation. Spend time here in the summer, explore the different neighborhoods, get to know the people, and really think about how you want to live.
There’s a reason so many people come here for a vacation and end up finding a way to make Vail a much bigger part of their lives. It’s a pretty special place, and I feel incredibly lucky to call it home.
Interested in learning more about Vail?
Connect with Adi Slifer, Managing Partner at The Agency Vail, for more local insight.
