Vail
United States · North America
The water
250 mg/LVery hard
Source: Eagle River Water & Sanitation District - Drinking Water page · Official figure. Hardness counts dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water; it is the number your hair meets in the shower.
What very hard water does to hair
Build-up arrives quickly at this level: minerals coat the strand wash after wash, and porous or bleached hair suffers most, going rough, dull and brittle. Weekly chelation and richer conditioning are worth it on long stays.
The washing routine for Vail
Chelating (detox) washes do the heavy lifting here: about every second wash, with a gentle shampoo between and rich conditioning afterwards. On a long stay, add a weekly deep treatment so porous or bleached hair does not turn brittle under the build-up.
Climate, from recent records (Open-Meteo, ERA5 2015-2024): July is the warmest month, averaging 25°C by day, and humidity peaks in January at about 71% on average. Day to night swings reach 16°C, which dries hair out between washes; the plan adds moisture and a sealing leave-in when a stop spans those months.
Local note: Hardness varies through the year: groundwater is harder; surface water is softer when diluted by snowmelt and rain.
Altitude: at about 2,484 m, UV runs roughly 10 to 12% stronger per 1,000 m and the air is dry, so UV protection and moisture join the routine; the planner builds both in.
Plugs and power for your tools
Sockets: Type A and B. Supply: 120 V, 60 Hz.
Full sockets by the sink are standard (the National Electrical Code requires one within 3 feet of each basin, GFCI protected).
A dryer or styler wound for 230 V only will run weak on this supply, and a plug adapter does not change voltage. Check the label for dual voltage (100-240 V) before you travel.
Plug, voltage and frequency: IEC World Plugs and national standards.
Plan Vail properly
The trip planner turns this water profile into a wash plan for your hair type, a chosen kit and a packing list, month by month.