Vail Ski Resort | Colorado | 2025 Information

Vail Resort is one of the largest and most well-known ski areas in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. It has approximately 5,317 skiable acres, 278 marked trails, 2 terrain parks, and 7 back bowls. In addition to its size and terrain, Vail is known for its European-inspired pedestrian villages.

Snowfall and Conditions at Vail Resort

Vail receives an average annual snowfall of 350 inches. The base elevation is 8,120 ft, and the summit elevation is 11,570 ft. Check the Vail Mountain stats page for more mountain information on elevation and terrain, or find the current weather conditions at Vail here.

Winter at Vail Resort

Vail’s north-facing front side is where you’ll find beginner-friendly zones and tons of long groomed runs, visible from I-70 as you pull up to the resort. Vail’s 7 legendary back bowls offer a mix of intermediate to expert terrain, and are a bucket-list experience for many destination skiers and riders, especially on a powder day. Other noteworthy terrain includes Blue Sky Basin, great for intermediates looking to explore in-bounds backcountry.

Vail is anchored by two pedestrian villages: Vail Village and Lionshead. Both capture the feel of a European town, with heated cobblestone streets, Bavarian-style architecture, and a mix of high-end restaurants, casual cafes, and retail stores. Each village has direct lift access, as well as skier and snowboarder services like lessons and rentals.

There are two outdoor skating rinks at Vail: Alderhof Ice Rink at the Arrabelle Hotel in Lionshead Village and Solaris Plaza Ice Rink in Vail Village.

Winter Activities at Vail Resort: Skiing, Snowboarding, Group and Private Lessons for Adults and Kids, Cross Country/Nordic Skiing, Snowmobiling, Tubing, Ski Biking, Snowshoeing, Nature Discovery Center, Ice Skating, Scenic Gondola Rides, Mountain Tours

Summer at Vail Resort

Summer operations at Vail begin early June and run until the end of September. The Epic Discovery is a mountaintop adventure center where all the action happens. Here you will find family-inclusive activities like climbing walls, bungee trampolines, the adult and kid tubing parks, hiking trails, an alpine coaster, and more. Access this area via the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead.

Mountain bikers have a choice of either biking up the mountain or taking the gondola to access Vail’s miles of single-track mountain biking trails.

Summer Activities at Vail Resort: Mountain Biking, Recreational Cycling, Clinics and Lessons for Adults and Kids, Scenic Gondola Rides, Hiking, Alpine Coaster, Nature Discovery Center, Fly Fishing, Golf and Mini Golf, Ziplining, Climbing Wall, Summer Tubing Park

What’s New at Vail Resort 

Parent company Vail Resorts announced in 2024 that major work would begin in 2025 to develop West Lionshead into another base area. The new base village is expected to add more lodging and dining options, retail spaces, guest services, and improved transportation.

Getting Around Vail Resort 

Navigating Vail is easy, as both villages are only a mile apart and the cobblestone walkways within each are heated. If you prefer not to walk, there is also a free shuttle bus that connects the villages and the surrounding neighbourhoods. 

Many lodging properties provide private shuttle services for their guests, which can be useful if you’re staying outside the main base areas in neighbourhoods like West Vail, East Vail, or Golden Peak. Taxi and ride-share companies are also available throughout Vail.