Vail Mountain, located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, is one of the largest and most iconic ski destinations in North America. Situated just off I-70, about 100 miles west of Denver, the resort is renowned for its expansive terrain, luxurious amenities and picturesque alpine villages.
Summit
11,570ft
Vertical
3,450ft
Terrain
5,317acres
Snowfall
354in/yr
Lifts
32
Runs
278
Terrain Parks
3
Base Elevation
8,120ft
Vail Mountain, located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, is one of the largest and most iconic ski destinations in North America. Situated just off I-70, about 100 miles west of Denver, the resort is renowned for its expansive terrain, luxurious amenities and picturesque alpine villages.
Vail Mountain spans more than 5,300 skiable acres and is famous for its Legendary Back Bowls. Here, you'll find wide-open fields of powder, perfectly placed tree skiing and wide-open groomers linking them all up.
Some days skiing are just better than others. February 28, 2024, was one of those days. After a heavy storm descended onto Vail Valley and the surrounding peaks, we awoke to find heaps of fresh snow loaded in various aspects around the mountain. Halfway through week two of the FREESKIER Gear Lab, and we’ve got ourselves a powder day–hot damn! We gathered our crew and climbed aboard Vail’s historic Gondola One for early ups. Blue skies and an empty mountain greeted us as the excitement grew...
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Known for its authentic village reminiscent of a European oasis and its legendary Back Bowls, Vail is an incredible place to escape with friends and family. The resort features over 5,000 acres of premier skiing, which means even during the holidays you can escape deep into Blue Sky Basin for excellent tree runs, unlimited powder stashes and most importantly, no lift lines.
Vail is easily accessible, with multiple transportation options. The closest airport is Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), located just 30 minutes west of the resort. EGE offers direct flights on major airlines such as United, Delta, American, and Southwest from cities like Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles. For more flight options, visitors can also fly into Denver International Airport (DEN), about a 2-hour drive from Vail. From either airport, rental cars are a popular option for the scenic drive along I-70. Alternatively, shuttle services such as Epic Mountain Express provide convenient, shared or private transfers directly to the resort.
If driving, budget for parking. The main parking areas are the Vail Village Parking Garage and the Lionshead Parking Garage, conveniently located near the base areas. Rates are hourly, with a daily maximum, and are higher during peak periods. Payment can be made via kiosks or apps. Very limited free parking is available at the park-n-ride or along the frontage road and requires skiers to use the town bus system to reach the slopes. Vail encourages carpooling and using the bus system.
More details about parking and in-town transportation can be found on the Town of Vail’s website.
Whistler Blackcomb, located in British Columbia, is North America's largest ski resort, offering diverse terrain and world-class facilities. Renowned for its size, it boasts over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain, with two mountains—Whistler and Blackcomb—connected by the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, the highest lift in the world. Known for its reliable snowfall and a staggering 1,609 meters of vertical drop, it attracts skiers from every corner of the earth.
Loveland, located right off Colorado skiing’s main vein, I-70, is known for its zero lift lines, consistent snowpack and a die-hard local vibe. Despite its smaller size, Loveland is filled with secret wind-filled powder stashes and boasts one of the longest ski seasons in Colorado.
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