Vail

Closed
Karl Sander
SnowPak Local Insider
Karl Sander
Pros
  • Vail boasts the largest ski area in Colorado giving skiers generous terrain choice
  • Vail’s charming ski town offers endless dining and shopping options
  • One of the best luxurious experiences in Colorado
Cons
  • Large crowds and premium price tags are also factors to consider when choosing Vail

Overall

4.8

Vail is one of the biggest and the baddest. It’s the model destination ski resort, the resort so many others try to imitate. It’s the golden child from a family of the most iconic destinations in North American skiing. For years, it was the largest ski resort in the US. Even though recent combinations in Montana (Big Sky/Moonlight Basin) and Utah (Park City/Canyons) have since eclipsed Vail’s acreage, it remains one of the legendary names amongst international snow sports destinations and still the biggest resort in Colorado. With something for just about everyone, from a wide variety of terrain to an array of off-slope activities and more dining options than you can shake a fork at, Vail has set the standard.

Best month to go

February and March

Avoid

April

Vail’s season begins the Friday before Thanksgiving and runs till mid-April. During the early season (anything before mid-December), only a few parts of the mountain are open unless there’s been an unusual amount of early snow. The extensive snowmaking on the front side of Vail means you can count on most of it to be open. However, the Golden Peak area often hosts race training camps so some areas, especially the Golden Peak Race run, may be off-limits. Colorado winters can be fickle and the weather can change in a heartbeat, so consider skiing Vail in February and March. January is still in the coldest part of the high country winter, while February and March are generally the best months for snow. By the time April comes, longer days and warmer temperatures start taking their toll on the snow at Vail, making it slushy and sticky in the afternoon and icy in the morning after it’s had a chance to refreeze. Vail will start closing areas off, usually starting with the Back Bowls… and you want to make sure you get a chance to ski those!

FLY TO

Denver International Airport

DRIVE / SHUTTLE TO

Vail (2.5-3 hours)

Base of Vail (Walk)

  • Made up of three base villages (Vail Village, Lionshead, Golden Peak)
  • Most popular place to stay
  • Plenty of dining, shopping and nightlife options

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Cascade Village (Walk)

  • West of Lionshead
  • Quieter area, away from main villages
  • Served by its own lift

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East Vail (3-5 mi)

  • 25 minutes away from Vail resort by bus
  • Hotels and condos
  • Quiet area

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West Vail (3-5 mi)

  • 25 minutes away from Vail resort by bus
  • Hotels and condos
  • Fast food chains and two supermarkets

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For beginners

Vail is home to wide range of terrain to suit all abilities and that includes beginners. There are two main beginner ski areas at Vail; the base of Golden Peak and next to Eagle's Nest above Lionshead. For more experienced beginners there are also a whole bunch of green runs to explore around the mountain and beginners can even get a taste of their first bowl skiing experience at Vail on the Game Creek Bowl!

More beginners tips

For intermediates

Intermediates will have endless options at Colorado's largest ski resort though Vail tends to slightly overstate difficulty, so don't be afraid to try skiing the easier-looking blacks! Intermediate and above skiers and riders can take advantage of the free tours provided by Vail's Guest Services. For some gladed tree skiing check out Big Rock Park and Cloud 9 in the Blue Sky Basin! The Miniturn Mile is a backcountry skiing experience strong intermediates don't want to miss out on when at Vail. It's unmarked and unpatrolled so it's best to find a local guide.

More intermediates tips

For experts

Vail might not have as much steep terrain as other Colorado ski resorts but there's still plenty to keep advanced skiers entertained. Forever is our favorite run. It has just the right steepness for the perfect ride and you can enjoy some stunning scenery as you zush down the mountain! Vail's famous Back Bowls as well as Blue Sky Basin are also musts for any advanced/expert skier visiting Vail.

More experts tips

Find freshies

Fresh pow gets quickly tracked out in the easier-to-access bowls at Vail, so venture out east to Siberia Bowl (in particular the Rasputin's Revenge run) and Mongolia Bowls to ski the fresh stuff. You'll also find some good stuff between Vail's trees.

Ditch the crowds

Vail is a iconic Colorado ski destination drawing skiers from far and wide. To escape the crowds at Mid Vail, head west and ski the long runs above Lionshead such as Bwana, Born Free and Simba.  

Non skiers

Vail might have some of Colorado's finest skiing but non-skiers definitely won't get bored here either. Vail's endless activities, world-class dining, shopping and vibrant nightlife is sure to keep non-skiers entertained.

Families

From designated adventure trails and play zones to a variety of accommodation, dining and activities for the whole gang, Vail is perfect for families. Just be prepared to dig a bit deeper into your pockets here, Vail is known for being quite expensive. If you have little ones, consider staying at Golden Peak on the east end of Vail. It's generally quieter than Vail Village and is home to the nursery, one of the ski schools and has a large learning area making it ideal for those skiing for the first time.

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Vail Reviews

Fabulous 4.4 / 5
based on 190 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Poor!2 / 5Sep 06, 2013
PPark
Good with kids but you pay up the wazzoo!!!
Superb!5 / 5Sep 03, 2013
JJim
It never ends. It is always a challange to ski all the terrain that I can
Superb!5 / 5Sep 03, 2013
WWill
Vail is a huge mountain. Ii is my number 2 choice (number 1 in Colorado). The Terrain is awesome, the back bowls are great and the the people we have met there have always been really friendly.
Superb!5 / 5Jul 07, 2013
PPatsy
My sons loved theskiiing and we loved the fact that non-skiers could do many things - like walk and play with the baby
Very Good!4 / 5Jun 05, 2013
BBarbara
I like that it's wide open. That's great for skiers that aren't as advanced. Yet they have excellent black diamonds as well.
Very Good!4 / 5Apr 05, 2013
FFarris
Vail is huge, back bowls are great, Blue Sky Basin is awesome, great village and lodging, easy access from Denver airport and highway, a bit expensive but loads of fun!
Very Good!4 / 5Mar 09, 2013
AAnthony
Have skied many places. Vail is the total package of size, varying terrain for both novices and advanced, great lodging and night life and scenary. It's the total ski experience.
Superb!5 / 5Jan 12, 2013
MMichelle
It is diverse and large enought to keep each day new and interesting. There's much to do for intermediate skiiers like myself.
Superb!5 / 5Jan 09, 2013
SScott
Front and back, the sheer size makes it so much fun. Always another run to take that is different from the last.
Superb!5 / 5Dec 07, 2012
KKeith
Lots of excellent terrain, good weather, lift system, and fine dining available close to resort.