Programs & Events
See full calendar for schedule and registration for programs and events.
Garden Activities
Find your experience
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
July – August | $15 cash only
Base of waterfall in the Gardens
Start your day off right in Vail’s most ZEN location taught by local guides. Find your flow in the Alpine Plaza surrounded by water and flowers.
No registration necessary; Limited yoga mats available on first come basis.
Daily | Memorial Day – Labor Day
Say hi to our Garden Experts roaming the trails or setting up an Information Station. Ask them about a specific plant or projects going on in the Gardens.
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Memorial Day – Labor Day | $10
Meet at Education Center
Guided Garden Tour | Mon, Thurs, Sat
An overview of alpine and mountain flora, their identification and ecosystems, and the history of the Gardens and Vail.
Alpine World Tour | Tuesday
A focus on alpine plants from all over the world that are found in our gardens.
Walk on the Wild Side Wildflower Tour | Wednesday
Explore the native plants that grow along Gore Creek and in our gardens.
Workshops | All Summer
10:30 a.m. | Unless otherwise noted
$10; FREE for members and volunteers
An in depth series with local experts highlighting topics about sustainable gardening, botanic processes and conservation.
Check the calendar for dates and topics.
Thursdays | July & August
Noon – 1:00 p.m. | $25
Buy tickets online in advance | Space is limited
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater Lobby
A six-part series of cooking demonstrations featuring some of the valley’s most celebrated chefs.
Members can register online pre-sale (limit 2 tickets per date per member). General public tickets are released July 1.
All chefs volunteer their time, talents and resources for our most popular fundraiser.
Daily | All summer
Take an imaginary tour past a beaver pond to the top of a mountain. See how the different ecosystems transform. Touch and smell plants in the vegetable garden. Connect food to table in Betty’s Market. Follow animal footprints and view the Gore Creek watershed, or get into the sand pit.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is an unforgettable way to experience the world of plants together and inspire the next botanic explorer!
Past Expert Presentations
Are Alpine Plants & Animals on the Same Page?
A Splendid Journey: Famous 19th Century Botanical Explorers in Colorado Rockies
Reintroducing the Gray Wolf to Colorado
Events
May | Annually
This program has taught over 15,000 third grade students about the miracle of
metamorphosis and life cycles. Students raise their own larva into butterflies and celebrate the release of the butterflies in Ford Park with a field day.
Member Appreciation Event
June | Annually
Grand Opening of our summer exhibit with special guest speaker!
Members only event.
Become a member today!
Sustaining Member+ Event
July | Annually
An intimate celebration in the Gardens for Sustaining Members and above. Food and cocktails while mingling among the flowers.