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Minturn and Red Cliff

One of the Slifer brokers said it best when she referred to Minturn as “a sturdy mountain town.” Sturdy it sure is, with its mining history, old-town Western charm and an eclectic, funky style. Minturn is one of the closest communities to Vail’s world-class slopes, but its location along the Eagle River and nestled into a narrow valley has kept most of the resort influences away.

Located 10 minutes down I-70 from the main Vail exit and a short drive up Highway 24 toward Leadville means Minturn enjoys no noise pollution from the interstate. It’s close to everything, yet so distantly related to the rest of the valley’s communities.

Thanks to this proximity, Minturn has been evolving in recent years as a desirable hotspot for real estate. The Minturn Mile, a popular backcountry trail off the back side of Vail Mountain, means some residents can even ski home — but not without a stop for a beer at the iconic Minturn Saloon, of course.

Free concerts and a happening farmers market keep the community’s pulse high in the summertime, as do popular hiking and biking trails in and around town. World-class fishing along the Eagle River is a popular activity throughout the year as evidenced by two angler shops downtown.

Minturn is small, which means buyers sometimes have to be patient until the right home becomes available. But what Minturn lacks in inventory, it makes up for and then some with its awesome small-town character and charm. Many of the residents here take pride in their community and wouldn’t consider living anywhere else in the valley, according to one Slifer broker. And while these old-timers pump a sense of pride throughout the town, Minturn is also considered quite “up and coming,” as well. The Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy, a revolutionary winter sports program that operates as part of Eagle County Public Schools, also occupies school buildings on the south side of town, set amidst a gorgeous backdrop of surrounding steep mountains.
Red Cliff

The one-time county seat and former mining camp, Red Cliff lies tucked into the mountains up the Eagle River Valley south of Minturn. The small town has a cluster of older homes and more temporary dwellings offering back country access for skiing and snowmobiling as well as hiking in the summer.