Vail Ski Resort Guide
Vail, United States
Rated: 5/5 (from 6 ratings) Write a Review
| Recommended For | Expert Skiers, Intermediates, Beginners, Snowboarders, Snowfall and Apres-Ski! |
|---|---|
| Highest Lift | 3,530m |
| Resort Height | 2,500m |
| Nearest Airports | Vail/Eagle and Charlottesville-Albemarle |
Vail
Vail is one of Colorado's premier ski destinations, renowned for its vast terrain and vibrant village. With a perfect blend of outdoor activities and upscale amenities, it caters to skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
Summary
Spanning over 5,300 acres, Vail offers a diverse range of slopes, including beginner-friendly areas and challenging runs for experts. The resort's high elevation of 11,570 feet ensures excellent snow conditions throughout the season.
The ski area of Vail is in the American Rockies at an altitude of 2,500m.
Vail has direct access to 193 marked pistes, served by a total of 33 ski lifts.
Vail comprises the villages of Arrowhead.
Snow and Weather
Vail is known for its reliable snow, typically receiving around 350 inches annually. Snow depth can vary, but with its high elevation, the area maintains good conditions well into the spring; check J2Ski for the latest snow reports.
When will it snow in Vail?
There is currently no significant snow in the 7-day forecast for Vail.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update.
Snow this week
| Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ski Area Stats
Vail Ski Area
| Pistes Number of runs | 193 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cross Country Total Length | 45km | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 33 | |
Vail Altitudes
| Highest Lift | 3,530m |
|---|---|
| Resort Altitude (Vail) | 2,500m |
| Lowest Piste | 2,480m |
| Max Vertical | 1,050m |
Ratings & Suitability
| Expert Skiers | |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Skiers | |
| Beginners | |
| Snowboarding | |
| Snow | |
| Apres-Ski |
Skiing
Vail Mountain features seven distinct areas, including the popular Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. Key lifts such as the Eagle Bahn Gondola and the Riva Bahn Express provide access to notable pistes like the legendary Blue Sky Basin and the challenging Forever run.
There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding at Vail is enhanced by terrain parks like the Golden Peak Terrain Park, which caters to various skill levels. Riders can enjoy well-groomed jumps, rails, and boxes, making it a great spot for freestyle enthusiasts.
Location and Map
Where is Vail?
This ski resort is in the American Rockies in Sweetwater County, Colorado.
Map
Tap 
for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Vail is Vail/Eagle, 38 minutes drive away.
Charlottesville-Albemarle, Seattle Tacoma, Shenandoah, Washington Reagan, Aspen, Steamboat Springs, Washington Dulles, Yampa Valley and Denver International airports are all within three hours drive.
Vail/Eagle is just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.
To reach Vail, the nearest major airport is Denver International Airport (DEN), located about 120 miles away. From there, travelers can take I-70 West for a scenic drive to the resort.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The 33 ski lifts are able to uplift 51,781 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Season Dates
When is Vail open?
We don't currently have confirmed season dates, but hope to soon.
Usual opening is mid November, and usual closing is Late April .
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
Piste Map
Talking about Vail
Mentions in recent J2Ski News Items and Snow Reports from our users...
Aprés Ski
Vail's après-ski scene is vibrant, with notable spots like The Red Lion and Garfinkel's offering lively atmospheres. For dining, the upscale Matsuhisa and the casual Mountain Standard provide delicious options to unwind after a day on the slopes.
