Vail is the crown jewel of American skiing—a massive 5,317-acre playground featuring the legendary Back Bowls, world-class front-side grooming, and a charming Bavarian-inspired village that rivals the Alps.
Snow Report
Historical data: 2015-2025
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Terrain Breakdown
Highlights
- 5,317 skiable acres—largest single mountain in the US
- Seven legendary Back Bowls with 3,000+ acres of bowl skiing
- Blue Sky Basin: 645 acres of glade and bowl terrain
- 195 runs with world-class grooming
- 31 lifts including 2 gondolas
- Bavarian-style pedestrian village with 100+ restaurants
- Epic Pass flagship resort
- 354 inches average annual snowfall
Resort Details
Best For
How Many Days to Ski Vail?
A destination resort worthy of a week-long ski vacation.
With 5,317 skiable acres and 195 runs, plus 3,450' of vertical, plan for multiple days to truly experience everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Vail lift tickets?
Vail lift tickets range from $200-270 per day depending on the date. Window prices are highest during holidays. The best value is the Epic Pass ($979+) which includes unlimited access to Vail plus 40 other resorts worldwide.
Is Vail on Epic or Ikon Pass?
Vail is an Epic Pass resort. It is NOT on the Ikon Pass. Vail Resorts owns the Epic Pass, and Vail Mountain is the flagship resort.
How far is Vail from Denver?
Vail is 100 miles (about 2 hours) from Denver via I-70 West. From Denver International Airport, plan for 2-2.5 hours. Traffic can add 1-2+ hours on weekends and holidays.
What are the Back Bowls at Vail?
The Back Bowls are Vail's famous 3,000+ acres of above-treeline bowl skiing. Seven massive bowls offer open powder terrain, unlike anything else in North America. They're best after fresh snow.
Is Vail good for beginners?
Yes, despite its expert reputation. Vail has 18% beginner terrain with dedicated learning areas at Golden Peak and Lionshead. The ski school is excellent, and greens are well-separated from expert terrain.
Vail Lift Ticket Prices (2025-2026)
Prices are approximate and may vary by day, season, and purchase method. Always verify on the resort's official website.
Live Mountain Data
Insider Tips: Vail
Local knowledge to make the most of your visit.
Parking
Arrive by 8:00 AM on weekends or use the free parking structure at Lionshead (fills by 9 AM). Red Sandstone lot is a backup option with free shuttle.
Best Runs
Blue Sky Basin opens at 10 AM - head there first for untracked snow. Game Creek Bowl also holds powder longer.
Local Secret
The Two Elk Lodge at the top of China Bowl has the best mountain-top views and shorter food lines than Mid-Vail.
Avoid Crowds
Ski back bowls in the morning while everyone hits the front side. Switch to front after lunch when back side gets tracked out.
Food Tip
Wildwood Smokehouse has the best BBQ on-mountain. Avoid the gondola base lodge at peak lunch hour.
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