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Elevation
2,452m–3,517m
Ski area
234 km
Lifts
32
Nearest airport
Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)
Schools
2 listed
Overview
Vail at a glance
Common questions
- Vail's front side provides groomed blue cruisers, perfect for intermediates. The Back Bowls open up 3,000 acres of wide-open alpine terrain and tree skiing, suited for advanced exploration.
- Yes, beginners can enjoy gentle green runs like Gopher Hill and Lion's Way on the front side. The Golden Peak base area is a hub for learning programmes, including the Epic Mountain Discover programme.
- The Back Bowls offer over 3,000 acres of open bowl and tree skiing, with Blue Sky Basin known for powder after a storm. A half-day private lesson is an excellent investment for exploration.
- The village is car-free, offering a safe environment. You should park at the transportation centre and then use the complimentary bus service to navigate the resort.
- The pedestrian village is car-free and safe for children. Kids' ski school is available from age three at Golden Peak, offering both full-day and half-day programmes.
The mountain
Ski area details
Key stats
Summit3,517m
Base2,452m
Vertical drop (resort)1,065m
Total Lifts32
Total Slopes234 km
The mountain
Ratings
Editorial suitability scores from the Find a Ski School team on a 1–5 scale. These are not visitor reviews.
Skiing
Beginners
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-piste
Snowboarding
Snow guarantee
Resort
Family friendly
Après ski
Some of the conditions data below has not been updated recently, so treat it as a guide.
Conditions
Snow conditions
Last snowfall (more than 30 days ago)
16 Feb 2026
Conditions
Live webcams
The mountain
Ski area map
Explore the ski runs and pistes around Vail. Toggle the ski piste overlay using the layer control.
Ski piste data from OpenSnowMap.org (CC-BY-SA)
Lesson providers
Ski schools at Vail
Explore by activity:Group Ski Lesson in VailKids Ski School in VailPrivate Ski Lesson in VailPrivate Snowboard Lesson in VailSkiing in VailSnowboarding in Vail
0 schools
About the resort
About Vail
Vail is a large single ski area in Colorado, United States. Current operator information lists 32 lifts; the approximately 234 km piste-length figure is retained.
About the resort
Key facts about Vail
Vail is an outdoor ski area in United States. The lifts run between 2,452m and 3,517m, a vertical drop of 1,065m. 234 km of marked pistes are served by 32 lifts. The nearest airport is Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE).
Who teaches here
Ski schools and instructors in Vail
2 ski schools are listed at Vail.
- Ski School Vail — Ski school. Teaches skiing, snowboarding, private ski lesson, kids ski school, and group ski lesson. Lessons in English.
- Vail Ski & Snowboard School — Ski school. Teaches skiing, snowboarding, private ski lesson, kids ski school, group ski lesson, and private snowboard lesson. Lessons in English and Spanish.
Lessons by activity
Activities you can learn in Vail
Lessons at Vail are offered in group ski lesson, kids ski school, private ski lesson, private snowboard lesson, skiing, and snowboarding.
- Group Ski Lesson lessons in Vail — 2 listed schools teach group ski lesson.
- Kids Ski School lessons in Vail — 2 listed schools teach kids ski school.
- Private Ski Lesson lessons in Vail — 2 listed schools teach private ski lesson.
- Private Snowboard Lesson lessons in Vail — One listed school teaches private snowboard lesson.
- Skiing lessons in Vail — 2 listed schools teach skiing.
- Snowboarding lessons in Vail — 2 listed schools teach snowboarding.
Resort guide
Vail resort guide
The front side is a perfectly groomed intermediate's paradise. Walk through the trees to the back side and seven enormous bowls open up — 3,000 acres of wide-open alpine terrain that changes your understanding of what a ski resort can be.
The village is car-free. Park at the transportation centre and ride the free bus.
The front side is heaven for intermediates, with long blue cruisers like Born Free and Simba winding through the aspens with immaculate grooming. Game Creek Bowl offers a taste of the Back Bowls with groomed safety.
The Vail Ski and Snowboard School is one of North America's largest, with PSIA/AASI-certified instructors across all levels.
The Back Bowls typically open late morning as they are south-facing and patrol assesses conditions first. Always check the daily grooming report.
Blue Sky Basin is the farthest area of the resort. Most day-trippers don't make it, resulting in fewer people and better snow.
Beginners can enjoy gentle green runs such as Gopher Hill and Lion's Way on the front side. The Golden Peak base area serves as the hub for learning programmes, offering a dedicated progression path.
The Epic Mountain Discover programme is ideal for first-timers, bundling a beginner lesson, a limited lift ticket, and rental at a steep discount.
The pedestrian village is car-free, ensuring a safe environment for children.
Kids' ski school is available from age three at Golden Peak, with both full-day and half-day programmes. Lionshead Village provides convenient access to mid-mountain via its gondola.
Full-day programmes keep kids active, engaged, and fed. It is advisable to book early, especially for holiday weeks.
The Back Bowls — including China, Siberia, Teacup, Sun Down, Sun Up, Game Creek, and Blue Sky Basin — offer over 3,000 acres of open-bowl and tree skiing. After a storm, Blue Sky Basin powder is among the best in Colorado.
A half-day private lesson introducing the Back Bowls is an excellent investment for intermediate-to-advanced skiers looking to explore this expansive terrain.
Two Elk Lodge, located at the top of the Back Bowls, offers impressive views that justify the journey. Its on-mountain food options are superior to most.
Vail is included on the Epic Pass. Multi-day visitors can save significantly by purchasing an Epic Day Pass in advance.
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Find a school here
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Nearby
Discover more ski resorts in United States
Listed ski areas nearby include Beaver Creek (15 km), Copper Mountain (21 km), Frisco Adventure Park (24 km), Breckenridge (27 km), Cooper (28 km), and Keystone (36 km).