Vail Ski Resort 2023 Guide

The Resort

Vail is big. “Big” actually doesn’t seem to cut it when talking about Vail. With 5,317 skiable acres of terrain, “massive” would be more fitting. Vail has 195 marked trails, 18% of which are beginner terrain, 29% are intermediate, and 53% are expert. Vail is divided into three areas. The frontside, where you’ll find easier terrain and groomers that are great for cruising.

The Back Bowls, a favorite amongst advanced skiers looking for something steep and deep. And finally, the Blue Sky Basin, also host to advanced terrain.

Most visitors find Vail to be the ideal resort for the intermediate rider. Popular opinion is that experts may find the most challenging terrain a bit lacking, and beginners may feel daunted at first.

Vail hosts a system of 31 lifts, including 2 gondolas, 3 high-speed sixpacks, and 14 high-speed quads. This impressive network of lifts is vital for Vail in helping to control their huge number of visitors. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to get stuck in a bottlenecked lift line during peak weeks of the season.

If you get sick of those lift lines, you can find off-piste style skiing at Vail, all while staying inbounds of the resort, by exploring “hike-to” lines off Ptarmigan ridge. Be warned though, from the ridge you can access skiing that is outside of the resort. Never travel in the backcountry without the proper gear and training, as these areas are unpatrolled and mistakes could be life threatening.

If you like hitting the park, Vail has you covered, featuring two parks, Golden Peak and Avanti. Golden Peak is for more advanced riders, offering features like a medium jump line, medium and large boxes, jibs and rails, a 13-foot mini pipe, and more. If you’re not so daring, the Avanti park is geared toward beginner park riders. Avanti offers fewer and smaller features, but more than enough to get a taste for riding park.

By now you might be packing your bags and wondering when you should visit Vail. The answer is that you really can’t go wrong. Vail has a long season running between early November and late April/early May, averaging 354 inches of snowfall per season. No matter when you go, you’re likely to meet good conditions.

Pro Tip: Now that you’re dreaming about Vail, you should probably know it isn’t cheap. Their reputation as a high end destination is reflected in their ticket prices. Don’t buy at the window. Consider the Epic Ski Pass so you can also check other mountains out. You can buy lift tickets for far cheaper if you plan ahead and purchase them online.

Getting There

Located East of Denver on the I70, Vail is highly accessible for locals and visitors alike. If you’re too far for a road trip, no worries! Visitors can fly into the Eagle Regional Airport, found about 30 miles outside of Vail, making for quick and easy access. You can also fly into the Denver International Airport, about 120 miles west of Vail, leaving you with a roughly 2 hour drive into Vail.

Accommodations

Once you get to Vail, all your need for over-planning has come to an end. Vail has just about everything you could need, and plenty of things you don’t, all in close proximity!

Lodging opportunities border on endless. While there are not many ski-in and ski-out lodging options, there are several options to choose from that are minutes of walking away from the base of the ski area. Keep in mind that lodging options in the Vail village are high-end, and in high demand. Staying in Vail is likely to be pricey during the ski season, but there are various other choices of where to stay just a short distance from the center of the village. If you’re looking to visit on a budget, lodging even further away in Frisco or Dillon Colorado can be found for much cheaper than the village.

If you’re flying in, shuttles are available. The Epic Mountain Express Shuttle service offers frequent shuttles from both Denver International Airport and Eagle Regional Airport directly into the Vail Valley.

For those visiting Vail with their dogs, you have nothing to worry about. Vail is an overall dog friendly locale. Rules regarding dogs will vary from place to place, so be sure to check in with individual businesses before bringing your furry friend.

Facilities

No matter where you choose to stay in Vail, you can expect to be met with the same top-notch facilities you would expect to find at any nice hotel or rental. This means you will have your pick of pools, spas, hot tubs, and exercise facilities at your convenience.

If you’re not one for skiing, or simply need to relax after a long day on the mountain, there is a wide range of spas, wellness centers, and places to get a massage throughout the Vail Village.

Families and Kids

When visiting with children that are too young, or that don’t ski, worry not, there are multiple highly rated options available for childcare in Vail. You’ll have to drop them off before you’re slopeside though, as the Vail Resort operated childcare center will be remaining closed for the 22/23 ski season.

Children can be enrolled in both private and group lessons at the ski school from ages 3 to 15 years old.

For Beginners

For those who are new to skiing or snowboarding, Vail has a ski school. They employ staff of professional ski instructors who teach lessons for all levels of riders from zero experience to advanced. Lessons are offered in both private and group settings. Children can be enrolled in lessons from ages 3-15. If you’re going in totally blind, full setup rental packages are available for both skiers and snowboarders, from many different shops in the village.

If you’re looking for easy terrain to enjoy, Vail has over 30 runs rated for beginners, meaning you can easily spend an entire trip exploring trails that won’t overwhelm you.

For Snowboarders

Many ski resorts have a history of restricting access to skiers only. Following a test period in the 1987-1988 season, snowboarders were officially welcomed at the Vail Ski Resort. Vail remains a popular and welcoming mountain for snowboarders to this day.

Apres-Ski/Shopping

When you’re ready to eat, there are a plethora of dining options located on the mountain, ranging from your standard ski-lodge-style chow to fine dining at The 10th, located atop Gondola One. If being on the snowpack isn’t your jam, there are more restaurants than you can count lining the heated cobblestone streets, with options that appeal to all tastes and budgets.

After eating, you can stop off in any number of shops catering to all kinds of clientele. In Vail you can find anything from quality outdoor gear and everyday clothing to high-end jewelry and furs. The little ones won’t be left out either, as Vail is home to various toy stores and candy shops, sure to keep your young ones occupied.

If it isn’t obvious already, the Vail apres scene is alive and well. All winter long, Vail has a host of highly rated bars, breweries, lounges, and live music performances to attend. All you need to do is stroll down the street and take your pick!

The Bottom Line

Vail Ski Resort is, for many, the pinnacle of what a ski resort should be. A trip to Vail is an all-encompassing getaway in a beautiful destination where one quickly finds that the mountain is only part of the experience. This experience comes at a price, however. Vail does not come cheap. The high-end nature of the town has inflated the prices of just about everything.

While it is possible to do Vail on a budget, it may not be the most enjoyable experience for everyone. If you’re looking for an independent, old-school ski area, offering bang for your buck, Vail may not be your cup of tea.

That being said, if you aren’t one to shy away from the price point, and enjoy the finer things a ski resort can provide, Vail Ski Resort does offer an incredible overall experience.