Vail

About Vail

In addition to being the second largest ski destination in the United States, Vail Ski Resort is one of the most diverse of its kind in the world, which is why it’s such a great ski destination for families. Every level of skiing, every lodging preference and just about every budget can find a cozy place to call home during a ski vacation to Vail, Colorado.

Skiers and snowboarders looking for incredible views will be thrilled with the scenic vistas of the surrounding Gore Range while they explore Vail Ski Resort. The town features a charming European-style village with a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Restaurant-goers can find everything from Iron Chef foodie fares to down-to-earth pub food and New York City-quality pizza in Vail Village. Those looking to relax in luxury will be happy to find a multitude of hotels whose objective is to pamper their guests like VIP's all throughout their stay in Vail.

With 5,289 acres of skiable terrain, the resort caters skiers and riders of all levels. It is particularly famous for its seven Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin, offering steep and deep terrain that is usually untouched. Beginners can find gentle slopes spread across the resort, while intermediate and advanced skiers can enjoy a large amount of groomed trails. The resort’s highest peak reaches an elevation of 11,570 feet, giving you a beautiful view of downtown. A trip to this purpose build village Vail is worth it for the views, the stashes and luxury.

How to get to Vail

Vail is located about 100 miles west of Denver International Airport (DIA), making it easily accessible. The resort can also be reached via Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) and Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE).

Vail offers a free shuttle service that runs between the village and the resort, making it easy for visitors to get around without a car. The town is also pedestrian-friendly, with most attractions within walking distance.

Skiing in Vail

Beginner Skiing in Vail

Vail provides an excellent setting for a beginner or first-time skier. Novices can start out on of Vail’s many magic carpets, either at Golden Peak or at Eagle’s Nest’s Practice Parkway, and slowly and comfortably progress to the chairlift, and before you know it they’ll be cruising along on one of Vail’s many meandering, green circle trails. Practice Parkway is located at about 10,000 feet, so beginners, alike, can soak in Vail’s famed scenery.

Golden Peak and Lion’s Way:

With nearly 18-percent of the mountain’s 5,289 acres to explore, beginner skiers at Vail have many options. The Vail beginner terrain is found on the front side of the mountain. There are numerous traverse trails, like Lion’s Way, Gitalong Road and Trans Mountane, which allow beginner skiers to ski significant chunks of the mountain. For an incredible view of the Gore Range, beginners should take a run on Eagle’s Nest Ridge accessed via Avanti or Wildwood Express Lift. Beginner skiers can also peer into the Back Bowls off of the Sourdough Lift. Golden Peak and Lion’s Way areas are perfect for beginners, offering wide-open runs and easy-to-navigate trails. The designated learning areas and friendly terrain make it ideal for those new to skiing or snowboarding. Vail's ski school provides excellent instruction, helping beginners gain confidence and improve their skills.

Ski School

Like nearly every Vail experience, its ski school has a steeped history of excellence, receiving many accolades annually. Vail’s combination of high-alpine beginner terrain and a renowned ski school makes it one incredible place to learn to ski. Golden Peak, which is the main children’s ski school, provides several magic carpets, each designed for different ages and skill-sets, and a small chairlift that’s great for progressing. Once beginners can ride the chairlift, the possibilities at Vail are endless. Over at Eagle’s Nest, on looker’s right side of the mountain, there are other learn-to-ski areas off the Coyote Crossing lift. There are also designated Vail ski school locations in Vail Village and Lionshead Village.

Expert Skiing in Vail

Few resorts can boast over half their terrain as expert. Think about it. Combine Vail’s 53-percent expert terrain with its monstrous 5,289 skiable acres and you’ve got an expert skiers promised land. The Vail expert skiing ranges from iconic leg burners, like Riva or Prima, to cornice entrances on Blue Sky Basin’s Lover’s Leap, and steep groomers on former women’s World Cup run International to ungroomed chunder in Mongolia and Siberia Bowl. It’s all there and it’s all ripe for the taking thanks to Vail’s mind- blowing expanse.

Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin:

We’ve said it time and again, Vail is huge. So to get around quickly and get as much skiing in as possible, you’ll need to ski Vail like a local−especially on a powder day. If the snow is flying, you’ll find most expert local skiers starting their day off at Golden Peak’s Riva Bahn. From the top of the lift they’ll head to Northwoods Express lift, and take a couple of runs on North and South Rim, which features moguls, trees and some flowy drops under the lift. From the top of Northwoods Express they’ll drop into the main Back Bowls catwalk, Sleepytime, and follow that into Tea Cup Bowl, staying high on skier’s right traverse into Morning Thunder. Drop into Marmot Valley and head up on the Skyline Express to get the goods in Blue Sky Basin. From the top of Blue Sky you can head skier’s right or left. Far-right takes you into Scree Field, a rock-littered powder field, which can be great if snow-pack permits. Or follow the lift towers and drop into Lover’s Leap cornice for some GNAR points. You’ll be dropped off at Pete’s Lift, named for Pete Siebert, a 10th Mountain Division soldier who discovered Vail, and from there you can access well-spaced glades. Or you can bypass the lift and head back down for another lap on Skyline Express. If you opt for skier’s left, which is considered to be “Earl’s,” a co-founder of Vail, head into Champagne Glade, which is a leg-burning, gladed bump run that usually fills in quite nicely. This run drops you back off at Earl’s Lift.

Family vacations in Vail

Annually ranked as one of the top resorts for families, there’s nothing on earth like Vail for a family ski vacation. Every family’s budget, skiing level, dining tastes and off-mountain interests, will find Vail to their liking. The Vail family skiing is top notch, thanks to a plethora of designated “discovery” zones on the resorts vast expanse. Kids can learn about Vail’s wildlife, while having a ball in areas like Porcupine Alley and other meandering tree trails near the Avanti Quad. Chaos Canyon, under Mid-Vail, is a guaranteed kid-pleaser, with fun whoop-di-dos, tree trails and more that will have them squealing with delight. The whole family can ski together on the Back Bowls groomed cruisers. Every on-mountain restaurant has menu items that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy, so parents don’t have to worry that their kids are getting the fuel they need to enjoy the slopes.

Families can explore the Kids' Adventure Zones, enjoy sledding and tubing, or visit the local ice rink. The Adventure Ridge offers activities like zip-lining, snow tubing, and mini snowmobiles, providing fun for all ages. The town also hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the winter season.