If you live in the Vail Valley, you’re likely not here by accident. People often choose this place for the adventure, but they stay for the community. We are a valley of climbers, skiers, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and small business owners; people who dream big, work hard, and stay late. But what holds us together isn’t just passion. It’s resilience.

Resilience isn’t just a buzzword or a soft skill. It’s a mindset and a way of life. Especially here.

In Eagle County, we live with the realities of a resort-based economy. We face seasonality, workforce shortages, limited housing, and a high cost of living. The swings between off-season quiet and peak-season chaos can be as fast and dramatic as Chair 4 on a powder day. And despite these challenges, we see innovation, collaboration, and grit every day. Resilience is baked into our way of life.

Just look at our small business owners. The entrepreneur running your favorite coffee shop in Eagle, or the bike mechanic or ski tuner in Avon, didn’t succeed by chance. They’ve learned to adapt by pivoting when necessary, taking smart risks, and staying the course even during unpredictable times. Resilient leaders don’t wait for the storm to pass; they adapt in the middle of it. Around here, that means skiing through the whiteout, not waiting for bluebird skies.

That’s the kind of grit that defines our community.

Resilient leaders also understand that progress doesn’t require perfection. They take imperfect action, trusting their ability to adjust along the way. In Eagle County, flexibility isn’t a luxury - it’s a survival skill. Whether shifting business models during mud season or teaming up with neighbors to tackle housing and transit, our community knows how to move forward.

Research from Babson College on entrepreneurial resilience identifies traits that help people thrive through uncertainty: adaptability, resourcefulness, and a bias toward action. Sound familiar? These qualities are in Eagle County’s DNA.

But resilience doesn’t just live in individuals or businesses. It’s also built (or broken) by the systems around us. We’ve faced wildfires, sinkholes, pandemics, housing constraints, and rising costs. Yet time and again, we rise to meet those challenges. We bounce back. We reimagine. And we lean on one another.

That’s resilience in action.

Importantly, resilience doesn’t mean ignoring the tough stuff. It means facing reality with courage and a forward-looking mindset. It means asking, “What can we build from this?” instead of “Why did this happen to us?” It means keeping our eyes on a future bigger than the problem right in front of us.

In a place like ours, resilience might just be the most important return on investment. It’s what helps businesses stay open, teams stay motivated, and our region stay strong, even when the path forward isn’t obvious.

But resilience doesn’t just happen; it requires investment. As Babson notes, resilient leaders build their strength by leaning into uncertainty, nurturing support networks, and viewing setbacks as opportunities to learn.

That’s why we must keep investing in people. Our future depends on systems that support resilience at every level from entrepreneurs with access to capital and mentors, employees with attainable housing and clear career paths, and youth with opportunities to grow and lead.

Resilience also flourishes in inclusive communities, places where all voices are heard and people feel they belong. That’s something Eagle County strives for and must continue to prioritize. The more connected we are, the stronger and more resilient we become.

As we look ahead to the winter season, let’s recommit to the mindset that has brought us this far: optimism, collaboration, and adaptability.

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back. It’s about bouncing forward with purpose, and with each other.

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, 3-time national chamber of the year. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com