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Skiing in Vail is an experience like no other. With its picturesque backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, whopping 5,317 acres of skiable terrain, and quaint yet lively mountain town, Vail has a lot to offer.
Whether you’re a total novice to the sport or an expert-level skier or snowboarder, you’re sure to be blown away by Vail’s slopes. Read on to discover all you need to know, from the most premium slopes to ski schools in Vail.
An Introduction to Vail
Vail is one of the most sought-after skiing destinations in North America, and Vail Mountain has no shortage of trails. While places like Park City, Beaver Creek, and Breckenridge may have great slopes, there is something about the lifestyle and energy that make Vail, Colorado, unique.
Spanning an impressive 5,317 acres of skiable terrain, Vail is the largest ski resort in Colorado and the 3rd largest ski resort in the entire United States. This renowned ski town sits at a base level elevation of 8,120 feet, and the peak elevation at Vail is a soaring 11,570 feet, making it ideal for ski vacations.
That high elevation and impressive annual snowfall create unbelievably good snow conditions that make Vail one of the premier locations in the world for winter sports such as:
- snowmobiling
- snowboarding
- skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Cross country skiing
History
Vail Ski Resort has a unique history as well. Back in the 1940s, the US Army built the nearby, infamous Camp Hale to train their soldiers to fight and survive the grueling winter conditions in WWII. At Camp Hale, the 10th Mountain Division was formed, and those men were trained in alpine skiing, nordic skiing, mountain climbing, and winter survival techniques.
From that winter training at Camp Hale, a love for skiing was born among some soldiers, and thus Vail Ski Resort came to be.
Today at you won’t find anything like the grueling conditions of Camp Hale, but the spirit of skiing is alive and well, and you can certainly feel that electric energy at Vail’s three ski sections: The Front Side, The Back Bowls, and Blue Sky Basin.
The Front Side
If this is your first time visiting Vail, The Front Side is a great place to start. The Front Side consists of two gondolas and five chair lifts that will take riders up from Vail Village Mountain Plaza and Lionshead Vail Square. The Gondola One Ski lift
The Front Side also hosts all different types of terrain across its 1,627 acres, with everything from bunny lifts and easy greens to thrilling double blacks.
The Front Side has a few fun top-to-bottom green runs and several places to grab drinks or snacks midday, including Mid-Vail, Wildwood, Two Elk Lodge, and Eagle’s Nest. To get your bearings, here’s a map of Vail’s Front Side.
The Back Bowls
At 3,017 acres, The Back Bowls make up over half of Vail’s skiable terrain. The Back Bowl’s terrain consists primarily of black diamond trails, creating a playground for expert-level and stronger intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
There are a few top to bottom blues sprinkled in at The Back Bowls, but for the most part, this is an area for riders who really know what they’re doing and want to push themselves in some incredible yet difficult terrain. Here’s a trail map of the Back Bowls.
Blue Sky Basin
Blue Sky Basin is the most recent addition to Vail Ski Resort. Established in 2000, Blue Sky Basin is seven miles away from Vail Village and brought an additional 500 acres of backcountry-type terrain to the ski resort.
Blue Sky Basin is the perfect place for advanced riders to get away from the crowds and enjoy the glades, open meadows, and steep skiing in the newest addition to Vail Ski Resort. Here’s the Blue Sky Basin trail map.
The Epic Pass
The Epic Pass from Vail not only gives you access to some of the most exciting ski resorts in the world but also offers a unique experience for its members. With exclusive events, discounts on food and beverages, and door-to-door guest services, the Epic Pass is worth looking into if you choose Vail as a ski vacation.
The Epic Pass is designed to make your ski experience as enjoyable as possible while giving you value for your money. From reduced lift ticket prices to additional member benefits, taking advantage of this pass is one of the smartest ways to make the most out of your skiing adventures.
Ski Season in Vail
Depending on the conditions, the ski season at Vail typically runs from November through either March or April. Again, however, it depends on the year. For example, in 2022, spring skiing conditions were so incredible that Vail extended its season through May 1st, making that year the longest ski season in the history of Vail.
In most years, the best time of year to ski in Vail is from December to March, with January and February being prime months.
If you’re trying to plan when to go on your ski trip to Vail, there are several factors to consider, including crowds, snow conditions, and temperatures. Here’s what to expect each month skiing in Vail.
November
November kicks off the ski season at Vail, and the mountain typically gets a few good dumps of snow throughout the month. As a result, November through mid-December is typically considered the “early season” at the mountain, and if you’re looking to ski without the crowds, November is a great time to plan a ski trip to Vail.
Depending on the year, the natural terrain in November is variable. With that said, there are usually an impressive 1,000 acres of skiable terrain already open at Vail by the opening weekend, so you’ll have no shortage of trails to ride.
In November, it’s typically only groomed slopes open on The Front Side. This is perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers to come out, have a good time without lengthy lift lines, and get their snow legs back under them.
Just don’t expect to be out in the backcountry, as snow coverage is usually spotty this early in the season.
December
A lot of changes at Vail from early December to the end of the year. As both temperatures and ropes drop, the mountain gets busier and busier until you get to the holidays, when both crowds and prices are at their highest.
That said, December is a fun time for a ski trip to Vail. The village is very festive, with several fun events and festivals like Snow Daze and Holidaze.
By the end of December, operations at Vail are getting closer to full swing. Most of The Front Side opens, and occasionally even a back bowl will open up. Unfortunately, December is also one of the coldest months in Vail, along with January.
January
Right up there with the holidays, January is one of the most popular months for skiing at Vail. Temperatures are at their coldest in January, but the mountain gets considerably more snow than in November and December, which strengthens your chances of scoring a powder day.
By January, Vail usually has about 90% of its terrain open, so it’s a great time to head over to Vail.
February
February is Vail’s snowiest month and a fantastic time to come if you want to score a powder day. By this time, almost all of Vail’s terrain should be open, so it’s a great time to take advantage of the dense snow coverage and amazing, open conditions.
By February, the temperatures have usually warmed up from December to January, and you’re missing the spring break crowds that flock to the mountain in March.
March
March kicks off many skiers’ and snowboarders’ favorite season of all spring skiing! While February holds the title for Vail’s snowiest month, March is a close second, which calls for excellent conditions, powder days, and bluebird skies.
March is also much warmer, and as temperatures rise into the 40s, you can shed some of the thick layers from earlier in the season and enjoy the impressive snowpack and coverage without the freezing temps. The days also have gotten much longer by March, and you can reap the benefits of longer, sunnier days.
April
April is the peak month for spring skiing and typically marks the end of the winter season for Vail. April is a great month to ski in Vail if you’re seeking warmer days on the mountain, with soft, slushy snow to ride by in the afternoon. You’ll mostly enjoy bluebird skies, and the occasional April storm keeps the snow levels refreshed through the end of the season.
Guide to Vail’s Terrain
Across the 5,317 acres of skiable terrain from Vail’s base to the summit, there is something for everyone. The general breakdown of the slops is as follows
- 18% of the terrain is for beginners.
- 29% is for intermediates
- 53% is for advanced riders.
Overall, the terrain at Vail is best for expert and advanced riders. Moguls, rocky meadows, glades, and enormous ski bowls characterize much of the mountain.
However, don’t be discouraged if you’re a beginner or intermediate rider. Vail still has plenty of incredible ski areas for beginners and intermediates, including top-to-bottom greens and blues.
Here’s a breakdown of what skiers and snowboarders of every level can expect regarding Vail’s terrain.
Beginner Slopes
Despite being famous for its harrowing yet legendary back bowls, Vail has plenty of beginner terrain that will keep young families and new riders busy for days on end.
For beginners at Vail, you’ll want to stick to The Front Side section of the mountain. The runs are nice, smooth, and groomed, so it’ll be smooth sailing all the way down.
Most of the lifts on The Front Side have easy access to beginner terrain. In addition, beginners can ride all the way across the mountain by taking trails like Lion’s Way, Trans Montaine, and Gitalong Road down the mountain.
For absolute beginners, you can start out on one of Vail’s magic carpets and practice honing your skills on the sizable bunny slopes.
Intermediate Slopes
With almost a third of Vail’s terrain being designated towards intermediates, you’ll have plenty of options as an intermediate-level skier/ boarder on the mountain.
On Vail’s Front Side, you can ski down almost all of the lifts on an intermediate run. On the skier’s left, you can’t miss epic runs like Born Free and Simba that will take you all the way to the base from Eagle’s Nest.
Intermediates can also venture off into the Back Bowls and shouldn’t miss taking runs down China Bowl.
Advanced Slopes
While Vail has plenty of terrain for beginners and intermediates, this Colorado ski resort really shines for the expert and advanced skiers.
Not many ski resorts can boast that over half of their terrain is for advanced/expert riders. You’ll find no shortage of steep bowls, epic glades, and cliffs to play around on at Vail. On The Front Side, you can have a blast taking laps on the North and South Rim trails from the Northwoods Express lift.
Vail also has some of the best bowl skiing in the world for advanced riders. Rasputin’s in Siberia Bowl is unmatched on a powder day. Over at Blue Sky Basin, you can find some nice glade skiing all over, and be sure to check out Steep and Deep, as well.
Ski Lessons
If you’re new to the sport, Vail is one of the best places to be, as Vail Ski & Snowboard School is one of the best in the nation. From start to finish, one of Vail’s world-class instructors will show you the ropes of skiing or snowboarding.
Kids ages 3 to 15 can take group snowboarding or skiing lessons for all different abilities, from absolute first-timers to little shredders looking to hone their skills.
Student-to-Instructor Ratios
Adult ski and snowboarding group lessons are capped at a student-to-instructor ratio of 6:1 to ensure that students get the maximum level of attention and help from their instructors. This is pretty impressive compared to other resorts across the world and country, with typically see student-to-instructor ratios closer to 20:1.
If you’d like more one-on-one attention or want a private lesson for your whole family or group, you can book a private lesson for any level for up to 6 people.
Guided Tours
If you already know how to ride but want to familiarize yourself with Vail, you can also book a guided mountain tour. At either Front Side or Blue Sky Basin, your knowledgeable mountain guide will take you all over that section of the mountain, giving you valuable insider knowledge about the many different trails and terrain of the mountain, along with interesting anecdotes about the culture and history of Vail.
Ski and Snowboard Rental
Unless you travel with all your own gear and live right near Vail, it makes a lot of sense to rent rather than bring your own skis, boots, poles, and snowboards with you. Luckily, it’s very easy to find a good gear rental shop near Vail.
Where
There are also several other shops in Vail Village where you can easily walk into the store on the day of skiing and pick out any rental equipment you need.
Vail itself has plenty of different rental shops. Vista Bahn is a great option for rentals, and you can choose from their demo, performance, and sports packages.
Pricing
However, like with most things at Vail, you’ll be paying a premium. If you want a better deal on rentals, you can hit a rental shop on the way to Vail off I-70 or even down in Denver. However, if you rent inside Vail Village, you’ll definitely pay for the convenience.
Typically, when you rent from Vail, you’ll be paying anywhere from $40 to $60 per day. However, if you reserve your rentals in advance online, you can sometimes score a discount, so it’s worth looking into.
Stay and Ski in Beautiful Vail
Skiing in Vail is an unforgettable experience for riders of all skill levels. Vail has everything from the iconic Bavarian-style Vail Village and expansive ski terrain to the electric après-ski atmosphere. This world-class ski destination offers a unique combination of thrills and natural beauty that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
As you ski down the slopes, you won’t be able to stop admiring the breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, snow-covered trees, and stunning sunsets. The crisp mountain air is unlike anywhere else in the world. You’ll never forget your experience skiing in Vail.
