Vail, Colorado Rockies

Vail: 5 things to know before you go

Colorado Rockies, United States πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ

Vail is the Epic Pass flagship and the kind of mountain that quietly explains why Colorado became Colorado. A Bavarian-style village at the foot, immaculate Front Side groomers above, and behind the ridge, seven legendary Back Bowls of open powder that have hooked skiers for sixty years.

1.Is the snow reliable in Vail?

Yes. The base sits at 2475 m and the top reaches 3527 m, which puts snow reliability among the very best on our index (score 93/100).

2.Do you need a car, or can you ski in and out?

Most hotels sit right on the snow front, so this is genuine ski-in/ski-out: park once on arrival and ski from the door, with no daily driving or shuttle.

3.How big is the ski area, and who is it for?

It is one of the bigger domains on the site: 285 km of piste on 31 lifts, enough to ski a different sector every day of the week. The terrain is balanced (35 green, 57 blue, 70 red, 33 black), which suits a mixed-level group skiing together.

4.What is the resort like?

Vail stands out for a polished, high-end scene, a vast, multi-sector domain and a genuinely iconic name.

5.When is the best time to go?

The season usually runs Nov 22 to Apr 21 (about 21 weeks). For the most dependable cover, the deep-winter window of January to February is the safe bet. The altitude also holds spring snow, so late-season skiing stays good well into spring.

The full Vail guide

Hotels, piste breakdown, snow month by month, lift and rental info, map and more.

See the full Vail guide β†’

More questions, answered

How much vertical drop does Vail have?
About 1052 m of vertical, from a 2475 m base to 3527 m at the top.
Is Vail part of a larger ski area?
No, it is a self-contained resort with its own 285 km of piste rather than part of a linked domain.
Is Vail good for beginners?
Yes. With 35 green and 57 blue runs, there is plenty of gentle terrain to learn on.

Where to stay

Hotels we like for ski access and value. Prices are indicative; check live availability.

Vail Ski Resort
4.67.6k reviews
€285
β˜… Top pick

Vail Ski Resort

Excellent Β· 7.6k reviews

Why we like it

A polished, high-end base for Vail when you want to be properly looked after after a day on the snow.

Guests rate this hotel as excellent (4.6/5 from 7,643 reviews). It sits about 4.2 km from the slopes. A luxury option for Vail, with live nightly rates shown for your exact dates so you always see the best price.

β‰ˆ 4.2 km to the slopesLuxury
From
€285/ night
Check availability β†’
Grand Hyatt Vail Resort and Spa
4.4917 reviews
€265

Grand Hyatt Vail Resort and Spa

Very good Β· 917 reviews

Why we like it

A polished, high-end base for Vail when you want to be properly looked after after a day on the snow.

β‰ˆ 2.5 km to the slopesLuxury
From
€265/ night
Check availability β†’

Ratings and review counts from Google Places. We may earn a commission on bookings.

Live snow reportSki-in/ski-out: United States