From summer camp–style 1970s cabins along burbling Gore Creek (including one that boasts a wade-to dining table in the middle of the creekbed) to hilltop postmodern masterpieces seemingly spirited from the pages of Dwell, West Vail offers inventory to suit all sensibilities.

“It’s a very desirable area,” says Josh Lautenberg , a managing broker and license partner at Engel & Völkers, particularly the northside neighborhoods of West Vail off of Buffehr Creek and Red Sandstone roads, where handsome homes soak up the sun and offer upvalley views of the Gore Range and across the highway to Vail Mountain.

Given its geographical separation from the bustle of the resort, West Vail cultivates a locals’ sensibility, but “you still pay the premium to have access to Vail Mountain,” adds Lautenberg, who notes that thanks to an underpass currently under construction, more desirable homes on the north side of the interstate soon will have direct access to Lionshead and Vail Village.

Despite that, inventory is never very high, and only a few vacant lots remain. Locals can find a studio or one-bedroom in West Vail for $200,000. A large single-family home (we’re talking 4,000 square feet with a view) will go for $4 million, but $500,000 to $800,000 is a more common range for a town home or duplex.

Along North Frontage Road, West Vail also boasts two major supermarkets, Safeway and City Market. And when locals want a less touristy alternative to Vail Village haunts, hangouts like Westside Cafe (always packed for brunch) and the Vail Ale House (a great out-of-the-way place to relax over live music with a local ale) lure them to this neighborhood.

Stats
Number of active listings (at press time): 6/5
Active median home price: $705k/$500k
Number of homes sold in 2016: 7/1
Median price of homes sold here in 2016: $550k/$425k
Average number of days on the market: 204/116