Winter in Vail

Chelsea Whitmore (Lacey Chabert) is a Los Angeles-based event planner who, after missing out yet again on an anticipated Vice President promotion, decides to quit her job and move to Vail, Colorado. There, she unexpectedly inherits the chalet of her late uncle Grady, a respected pastry chef famous for his apple strudel. Chelsea had once been very close with him but drifted apart during the whirlwind of her rising career. Now she chooses to stay in town temporarily while figuring out her next steps, drawn by the town’s quiet charm and the promise of a fresh start.

While settling in, the chalet’s urgent repairs push Chelsea to hire the local contractor Owen Becker (Tyler Hynes) to handle the remodel. As he works, she begins to fall in love with the beauty of the small alpine village and its Bavarian heritage, a place that welcomes visitors with a warm, old-world flavor. Chelsea also befriends Karl Becker (Greg Lawson), Owen’s father and the owner of a Bavarian restaurant steeped in history. The restaurant, once a hub thanks to Grady’s apple strudel, now faces stiff competition from trendy chains and celebrity chefs. Karl’s pride in the town and his craft shines through, even as he grapples with the pressure of keeping the family business afloat.

Owen is more than a skilled contractor; he carries a quiet story of choice and sacrifice. He once pursued architecture and had a promising career ahead of him, but ultimately chose to stay in the small town to help his father’s business and preserve the community’s character. Chelsea’s days of renovation give way to moments of discovery as Owen guides her through the town’s scenic spots and shares the deep-rooted values that keep Vail thriving. In the kitchen, Chelsea uncovers her uncle’s old apple strudel recipe and succeeds in recreating the signature dish, reigniting the restaurant’s draw and reminding locals and visitors alike of Grady’s legacy. With the strudel back on the menu, she launches Strudelfest, a festive event designed to showcase the dish and celebrate the town’s Bavarian charm.

The festival’s momentum impresses Karl and Owen, who recognize Chelsea’s knack for planning and her ability to unite people around a shared love for the town’s heritage. Just when her present feels solid, Vienna North (Marla Renae) arrives on Chelsea’s doorstep on behalf of her boss, Trish Simmons (Constance Marie), bearing an offer for the Vice President position that Chelsea has chased for years. The lure of advancement in Los Angeles tempts her to keep chasing a corporate milestone, yet her growing ties to Vail—its community, its beauty, and especially Owen—give her pause. With a new job lined up in town and a life she’s started to envision there, Chelsea ultimately accepts the LA offer, only to quickly realize what she’s leaving behind.

Missed opportunities and heartfelt choices eventually lead Chelsea back to Vail, where she contemplates the life she’s built and the future she wants to nurture. The pull of the mountains, the warmth of the people, and the burgeoning romance with Owen shape a new chapter that feels more true than any desk in a high-rise could. In the end, Chelsea and Owen find common ground in a shared sense of home and purpose, deciding to pursue a relationship that blends professional ambition with the intimate, enduring connections she discovered in this Alpine town.

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 04:08