Nestled in the heart of Colorado, Vail Ski Resort stands as a beacon for winter sports enthusiasts. Imagine gliding down powdery slopes surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas; this is what draws skiers and snowboarders from around the globe to Vail each year. With an awe-inspiring 5,300 acres of terrain and 7 legendary Back Bowls, Vail offers an exceptional vacation under abundant blue skies.
Panoramic view of Vail Ski Resort.
A Mountain for Everyone
Vail Ski Resort boasts an impressive 5,300 acres of skiable terrain, making it one of North America's largest ski resorts. With nearly 350 trails that cater to all skill levels-from gentle beginner runs to challenging expert terrains-there's something here for everyone.
Most of the resort is wide open terrain with all types of trails. Vail Mountain has three sections: The Front-Side, Blue Sky Basin, and the Back Bowls.
Whether you are an advanced or beginner shredder, with the most skiable terrain in North America, Whistler Blackcomb has a massive reputation and you will find terrain for everyone.
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The Legendary Back Bowls
What’s fascinating about Vail isn’t just its size but also its unique geography. The area receives an average snowfall of about 370 inches annually, ensuring that conditions remain ideal throughout the season. The Back Bowls are particularly noteworthy; they offer vast open spaces where you can carve your own path through untouched powder-a dream come true for any skier looking to escape crowded runs.
Vail’s Back Bowls are ideal for midwinter powder skiing. Later in the season the Northwest and Blue Sky Basin sectors will still have good powder if the Back Bowls are sun affected.
Stretching more than six miles wide and offering an unparalleled powder paradise. Then there's the legendary Back Bowls.
The ZRankings team quite enjoys the backside of Vail, as there’s powder to be had even a couple of days after the storm in exchange for a few minutes of toil, namely sidestepping, skating and sweating.
Vail Village: A Bavarian-Inspired Experience
Vail Village is modeled on Bavarian village styles, with pedestrian streets. Beyond the slopes, Vail's charming village offers a vibrant après-ski scene with shops, restaurants, and cozy lodges inviting visitors to unwind after a day on the mountain. Vail’s wide variety of terrain, welcoming back bowls, and 5,289 skiable acres provide a one-of-a-kind experience for the whole family; step into Vail Village and feel like you’re worlds away.
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The charming Vail Village offers a vibrant après-ski scene.
After you've mastered the mountain, explore mountain villages lined with cobblestone streets and brimming with world-class restaurants and shops.
A Rich History
Construction of the resort began in the then-uninhabited valley in 1962, and it opened six months later on December 15. There were originally three lifts, including one gondola that ran from Vail Village to Mid-Vail on the line where Gondola One operates.
The Vail area has developed largely with the ski resort, which opened in 1962. The base village of the resort basically comprises the town of Vail.
Recent Upgrades and Improvements
To mark Vail's 60th anniversary, the 2022-2023 season saw Leitner-Poma construct two new high speed chairlifts. For the 2016-17 season, the Sun Up lift was replaced with a high-speed quad by Leitner-Poma.
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Snow Conditions
Vail has the best snow, no debate necessary, in this region of the state; this is one of those things that’s a pure quantitative measurement-we love those kinds of things here at ZRankings. At Vail 14.9% of winter days see 6 inches or more of snow, 19% of winter months see 90 inches or more, and only 10% of months see less than 30 inches.
This is well above average snow frequency and top tier drought resistance. Snow density as in most of Colorado is as light as it gets.
Vail Ski Resort Stats
Here's a quick overview of Vail Ski Resort's key statistics:
Day Off For Vail Resorts Employee (Whistler)
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Skiable Terrain | 5,317 acres |
| Trails in Total | 277 |
| Lifts | 33 |
| Average Snowfall | 242 inches |
| Base Elevation | 8,120 feet |
| Summit Elevation | 11,570 feet |
Vail’s wide variety of terrain, welcoming back bowls, and 5,289 skiable acres provide a one-of-a-kind experience for the whole family; step into Vail Village and feel like you’re worlds away. The sky isn't the limit because in Vail, there are no limits.