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Vail Ski Holidays

At a glance

  • World class resort
  • 2nd largest ski area in the US
  • Diverse non-skiing options

Great for

  • Late season
  • Groups
  • Foodies

Ski Holidays in Vail

You’ll be hard pushed to find someone who hasn’t heard of Vail. Rivalling Aspen as the resort of choice for the uber rich and super famous, it’s the 2nd largest ski area in the USA, has a vibrant cosmopolitan town and offers an outstanding visitor experience - one of the best in the world.

  • Flight Time
  • 9 hours
  • From London
  • Nearest Airports
  • Denver, Jackson Hole etc.
  • Time zone
  • GMT -5 to -8 hours
  • Language
  • English
  • Currency
  • US Dollar
  • Ski Season
  • Dec - April

Vail Stats

Top Altitude
3,527m
Bottom Altitude
2,476m
Resort Altitude
2,476m
Total Piste
5269 acres, 193 runs
Longest Run
Riva Ridge, 6.4km
Slope Orientation
N/S/E
Vertical Drop
1,052m
Skiable Vertical
1,052m
Night Skiing
No
Glacier Skiing
No

Once you visit Vail, it’s very easy to see why this one of the most famous ski resorts in the world. It may not have the rich, mining history of other resorts in Colorado like Breck and Aspen, but still manages to wow guests who stay and is quickly catching up with Aspen as the choice ski destination of the rich and famous.

Named after Charlie Vail who built the highway through the valley, it features three village centres at the base of the mountain. The first and main base is Vail village. This pedestrianized village has become the epitome of luxury, with architecture copied from classic Austrian design. The heated streets keep snow clear and make getting around quick and easy, showing the measures taken to provide visitors with the best possible experience. These efforts are also apparent in the new One Gondola, which features heated seats and Wi-Fi.

The village of Golden Peak allows for a more peaceful experience, keeping you out of the central hub of Vail village but within easy walking distance to its numerous bars, restaurants and amenities. This isn’t to say Golden Peak hasn’t got its share of inviting offerings; the Golden Peak Grill has a great lunchtime menu and is close to the halfpipe for a great lunchtime view, and the Lord Gore provides a sophisticated spot for fine dining, again with fantastic views. Wheelchair friendly and also including shops for your essentials, the village has in past years been at the base of runs used for international team race training, providing a great spectator experience.

Many people think that if you head to Lionshead village you can get a more affordable stay. Located a little further from Vail village than Golden Peak, its reasonably priced restaurants and shops attract a number of visitors, without detracting from its easy-on-the-eye architecture. Featuring a beautiful ice rink in its centre surrounded by a range of shops, the Born Free Express lift and Eagle Bahn Gondola are within a few minutes walking distance, which provide easy access to the resort’s huge ski area.

Winter Sports Ratings

Beginners

Intermediate

Advanced

Snowboarding

Vail Transfer Times

Eagle County Airport36 miles, 45 mins
Denver International Airport120 km, 2 hours

The nearest airport to Vail is Denver at 193 km or about 2 hours by car

What's the ski area like in Vail?

There’s almost too much to say in relation to skiing and boarding here. As the second biggest ski area in the USA, at 5,289 acres, there’s terrain to cater for literally every skill level, and lots of it. Three areas connected by lifts make up this massive expanse – the Frontside, Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. With 31 lifts uploading 59,000 people an hour, you should experience quick access with few lift queues outside of peak times.

For beginners, the ski school is world class - priding themselves on not just being an instructor, but also a guide, friend and “cultural ambassador”. If you fancy a bit of skiing outside ski school, look towards the slow zone area around Gopher Hill lift, or up at the top of Eagle Bahn Gondola (a real gem as learning areas aren’t usually found up the mountain).

Intermediates will find heaven here; stick to the Frontside and head over to Bwana or Born Free at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola for long, wide cruisers. For a challenge, head over to Riva Ridge, which is a blue with black diamond sections thrown in, one comically called “tourist trap”, or learn to ski powder in Blue Sky Basin or the Back Bowls.

Whilst not the steepest around, Vail’s terrain offers experts the chance to hone their skills and before heading to the more challenging slopes of other resorts. The place to be seen is Vail’s extensive Back Bowls. With over 3,000 acres to explore, you’re able to go almost anywhere, and escape the crowds on the unpisted slopes - the possibilities are seemingly endless. More can be said of this in the Blue Sky Basin, with its gladed runs allowing you to pick through the trees. Frontside is famous for its bumps; check out Highline for a double diamond with some beautiful moguls.

If you fancy working on your freestyle, Vail has 3 separate parks: the Pride and Bwana parks have features of varying degrees of difficulty and Golden Peaks houses a huge 22 foot Superpipe, and trickier jumps, boxes and rails.

Which other ski resorts are near to Vail?

The nearest ski resorts to Vail include Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Aspen.

Ski Area Facts

LocationUS, Rocky Mountains
Established1962
Downhill5269 acres, 193 runs
Lift Pass$432 (adult 7 day) Can ski Vail plus 9 other resorts, including Breck, Keystone & Beaver Creek

Beginner Slopes

35runs18%

Intermediate Skiing

56runs29%

Advance & Expert Terrain

102runs53%

Snowboarding Trails

5269 acres, 193 runs100%

Vail Restaurants

Where to eat in Vail and on the mountain

Sweet Basil One of Vail’s most popular restaurants, Sweet Basil offers a mouth-watering selection of American cuisine with a modern twist. Winning the Diner’s Choice Award for three years running from 2010 to 2012 and a sack load of others, it is easy to see why people keep returning to this fantastic establishment. Dedicated in supplying organic and sustainable foods to the highest standards, with a collection of seafood and land loving dishes to satisfy even the toughest critics.

Local Joe’s Pizza A favourite of both locals and tourists alike, Local Joe’s Pizza in Vail and Edwards offers some of the most loved takeaway foods in the world. If you fancy a bit of comfort food in the cosiness of your accommodation after a tiring day’s skiing, then this is the way to go. With gargantuan pizzas up to 18 inches all with witty, ski-bum appropriate names, such as the Gnar Supreme or the Fiesta In Your Mouth Pizza, you can challenge yourself to one of these monsters or fight over every slice with friends or family.

Vail Après Ski

Bars Late Night Clubs and Cafes in Vail

The Red Lion This pub/restaurant/club is a multi-functional treat for almost anyone who visits. Great for people watching from the patio, grabbing a quick bite to eat after skiing, or catching a few drinks and hitting the dance floor, this versatile establishment is one of the most frequented in the village. It almost always offers a great, bustling atmosphere, with live music almost every night, this is a place not to miss.

Samana Lounge The Samana Lounge is the perfect place to head to if all you want to do is party the night away. Striving to provide its patrons with the very best live acts around including its high class resident DJs, this club also supplies bottle service and is available for private parties of groups of up to 200 people, perfect for a big celebration.

Vail Activites for Non-skiers

Adventure Ridge Adventure Ridge is situated at the top of Eagle Bahn Gondola and is the place to go with kids, or if you just want to let your inner child out for a few hours. It offers a range of activities, from the international resort favourite of tubing, to kids’ snowmobiles, ski-biking to bungee trampolines. Perfect for if you or the family need to let off a little more steam after a long day on the slopes, or just fancy a break from the conventional skiing activities. With Bistro 14 on hand to dole out warming drinks or filling foods if you need reheating or sustenance, you are likely to have a great family experience here in this dramatic setting.

Aria Spa What is the best thing to do if you are feeling the effects of a few days hard skiing in a row? Of course, the answer is head to the spa. The Aria Spa in the Cascade resort is a perfect example of this, providing numerous spa treatments, including massages, facials, manicures & pedicures and body treatments, as well as a salt water pool, hot tubs and steam rooms. Featuring childcare facilities to care for your little ones whilst you pamper yourself, there is no better way to look after your body and mind.

Timberline Tours Just a short trip down Interstate 70 in Eagle lies the Timberline Tour headquarters. In the peaceful scenery of the mountains, you would not expect to experience white water rafting, one of the most adrenaline pumping, exciting activities during the summer months. With a range of difficulties to cater for casual rafters to adrenaline junkies, you are likely to have the experience of a lifetime on these rapids.

Vail Golf Club Situated about a mile away from Vail village, you will find the wonderful Vail Golf Course. With the Gore Range as a jaw-dropping backdrop, this par 72 golf course is a treat for any golfer. Close to 7000 yards, it winds its way through Vail Valley, and as a public course, it is very accessible with more than reasonable green fees.

Clothing Food & Souvenir Shops

One of the world's best Winter shopping destinations, Vail offers more than 220 shops locally to suit all tastes, and for factory shop lovers the Silverthorne Mall is not far away. The colourful array of stores in Vail itself include boutiques, galleries and well known international chain stores.

Jewellery stores and some of the many galleries are owned and run by the same people who create the art. Antique stores also abound, importing historic quality furnishings and memorabilia from all over the world, but especially Europe.

The small town of Minturn in a side valley off I-70 between Beaver Creek and Vail has also become a major high-quality shopaholics destination, lined with quaint stores and galleries retailing some of the best products you'll find anywhere.

Vail Ski Base Perfectly situated at the bottom of Eagle Bahn Gondola, Vail Ski Base offers you the latest equipment to rent for your trip. With their experienced staff matching the right equipment to your needs, be it child package, freestyle skis or board, or all-mountain skis with which to shred off piste in the Back Bowls, you can store these skis or boards here overnight, free of charge, to end your traipsing around skis on shoulder.

Vail Bike Tech If you didn’t get enough of the mountains during the winter months and want to get back on the slopes, why not head to Vail Bike Tech for the ultimate biking experience. If your style is hardcore downhill, you want a road cruiser, or just want to ride tandem with a loved one or friend, they are likely to have an option for you. With all rentals including helmets, and regular tuning of all bikes ensuring you attain the safest possible equipment before you decide to throw yourself down the mountain.

Vail Package Ski Holidays

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Best Time to Visit Vail

Vail’s huge ski area will more than likely allow you to ski it at any period in the season and have enough space for you to still be exploring by the end of the week.

461 acres of artificial snow making equipment is usually only used early on in the season, ensuring there is a deep enough base layer to begin the season with. However, this resort really comes into its own later in the season. With a whopping average 9 metres of snowfall per year, and averaging over 300 sunny days per year, you’re likely to have a combination of fantastic snow and good weather if you fancy a spot of spring skiing. Its altitude also helps; from between 2,476m and 3,527m, this elevation is likely to stay cooler and bless you with better snow conditions than many of its lower equivalents. The Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin usually open later in the season, and with the Blue Sky Basin and Frontside north facing, the sun stays off the snow for longer providing generally better snow conditions, so head to these areas for the best skiing.

What's Vail like at Christmas?

Christmas in Vail is a magical experience for people of all ages. With lights around town and the festive vibe of the central ice rink, the feeling of being in a fairy tale as the excitement mounts is captivating. The outstanding dining, organised events for all the family and, of course, superb skiing make Vail the best place to celebrate this special day.
Christmas Ski Holidays

What's Vail like in the New Year?

The classy banquets, jaw dropping fireworks and wild parties are what make people return year on year to see in the New Year’s in Vail. The resort’s popularity has caused a diversification in its entertainment, meaning there’s something for those with the youngest children, those looking for a wild night on the town and even anyone who fancies a quiet night in to make the most of the outstanding skiing on New Year’s Day.
New Year Ski Holidays

What's Vail like in Half-Term?

Typically around the time Vail experiences its highest average snow depth, and due to the fact that the American schooling system doesn’t have a half-term, this is a brilliant time to experience the wonders of this resort. With numerous kids’ activities, along with a fantastic and diverse ski school, spending half-term in Vail will be a pleasure whatever your age.
Half Term Ski Holidays

What's Vail like at Easter?

This resort’s altitude and typical snow conditions make Easter in Vail a dream. Whether you’re skiing the north facing slopes of the Frontside or Blue Sky Basin, hitting up the park, or just sunning yourself on one of the patios in the numerous après ski bard, you’d be unlucky not to find something suited to you in this world-renowned resort.
Easter Ski Holidays

Vail Snow Conditions

Snow Report, History & Forecast

View our detailed Vail snow report to see skiing confitions now. Our Vail snow history shows you what snow depths have been in recent years month-by-month. If you're visiting soon, use the Vail snow forecast to see predicted snowfall over the coming days.

  • Sunny skies Today
  • Sunny skies Sunday
  • Light snow showers Monday
  • Patchy snow possible Tuesday
  • Sunny skies Wednesday
  • Sunny skies Thursday
  • Current snow depth at top
    198 cm
  • Alternate Text
  • Current snow depth at base
    89 cm

Ski Accommodation in Vail

We have 332 ski holidays in Vail. Search all Vail ski deals or pick your preferred accommodation type below:

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Being one of the most famous resorts in the world, Vail has to provide something for every visitor, making it a fantastic place for family getaways.

With 5,289 acres available to explore, and just under 50% of runs catering to beginners and intermediates, there will be something suitable for the whole clan on the mountain. For true beginners, the ski school’s 160 instructors are qualified to coach you the proper technique in a fun and informative way. Not only for beginners, the ski school is able to cater to most skill levels, with group or private lessons available. If you want to ski with your children outside of ski school, there’s a great selection of greens available from the Avanti Express lift, and safe zones coming into each of the base villages, ensuring the safest possible skiing experience. If your child has a little more experience, why not take them to the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, and head down the blue runs of Bwana or Simba for runs right back to Lionshead. Alternatively, many kids want to try their skills in the terrain park; if this is the case, head to the Bwana or Pride Park for beginner to intermediate features.

If you all fancy a day off from skiing, the Adventure Ridge is the child friendly adventure land that kids dream of. A new magic carpet services the epic tubing hill, or kids’ snowmobiles allow little ones to shred around the snow. For the older kids, there’s ski biking, an adrenaline pumping cross between skis and a bike for guests aged 10 and over. A little closer to home is the ice rink, a favourite of any ski holiday, allowing skaters to glide over the ice with the beautiful town as a backdrop. If you’re looking at heading to Vail during one of the Peak times, there are usually events and activities put on by the resort for the whole family’s entertainment that are definitely not to be missed.

If your hotel does not have a childcare option, Vail Resorts provides childcare in Golden Peak for children from 2 months to 6 years, allowing you to lose yourself in the ski area, relax in one of the spas or just explore the town without looking after the little darlings.

What with Vail being the second largest ski area in the USA, and comprising a diverse and exciting town, it’s easy to see why groups would head here. The skiing and riding itself is enough to entice a group of any size. With runs suitable for all – from beginners who have never even seen snow before, to the hardened experts, you’ll be able to find something to suit your ability and that of the rest of the group.

For those just beginning their skiing experience, the ski school is top quality, and their knowledgeable staff should allow you to progress quickly. If you’re feeling confident enough to head off the nursery slopes, the Avanti Express offers a number of easy green runs for you to wind your way slowly down the mountain. Intermediates will revel in the options from the top of Northwoods Express lift and the Eagle Bahn Gondola, with a variety of blues and easy blacks. Check out Riva Ridge if you’re looking for a challenge – as the longest run on the mountain, it has an aptly named portion of black diamond called the Tourist Trap, so make sure you’re up to the test. Experts will find heaven in the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin, with the myriad of bowls, trees and steeps managing to test even the best skiers.

Whilst some mountains fail to offer a range of options away from the slopes to attract a variety of clientele, the off the mountain activities available at Vail mean that almost every group is catered for. For the young ones or the adults who want to relive their youth, head to the Adventure Ridge for action-filled, childish fun like tubing, snow mobiling and ski biking. If you want a more leisurely past time, get your group to check out one of the many wellness centres in resort; the Cascade Resort houses a huge spa.

All of these activities can greatly increase your appetite, and the luxurious sense you get from the resort is continued throughout their dining scene. If you’re looking for a fancy sit down meal, head to Sweet Basil, one of Vail’s favourite restaurants. A slightly less pricey option would be Bully Ranch, whose fame for their sublime burgers has spread far and wide. For those who want to head out and make a night of it, there’s a range of options that can make almost every night different. Try the Red Lion Pub for an après favourite. Garfinkels has a drinks menu almost as extensive as its huge sundeck, perfect for enjoying a well-earned libation whilst soaking in the rays. If you’re looking to carry the party on later into the evening, check out the Samana Lounge for some late night dancing.

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5
out of 5
This Colorado ski town is big on ski terrain as well as luxury – in fact it packs in the second largest ski area in the U.S. My pick of the toughest pistes are the double black Prima for its sheer speeds or the secluded Blue Ox, where you can tackle high-level corduroy away from the crowds. Better than both of... + more
Harry,
5 out of 5
The second largest ski area in the US deserves a mention for its beautifully approachable powder terrain. You won’t find the kind of jaw-dropping steeps as you might on Verbier’s Bec Des Rosses, but instead pristine pillow-cloud fields of champagne powder. For me best place to start is over at the ever-popula... + more
Rory,
5 out of 5
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Ski Extras

How much is a ski pass in Vail

Maximum and minimum adult Vail lift pass prices ranged from $564 to $792 for 6 days access to the Vail ski lift system at the start of the 2025 winter season. Our lift passes are part of a packaged Vail holiday with accommodation, so prices vary depending on chalet or hotel suppliers. Confirm price for the lift ticket before booking your holiday.

Lift Tickets Child Adult Senior
1 Day Price $78 - $110 $113 - $159 $103 - $149
6 Day Price $390 - $546 $564 - $792 $504 - $732
Age Range 5 - 12 13 - 64 65+
Vail Packages + Extras

Getting to Vail

Most of our ski holidays to Vail packaged with flights include airport transfers. We can also arrange private transfers to Vail from nearby airports

How long does it take to fly to Vail from the UK?

Flights from London take about 9 hours to Denver, Jackson Hole etc.. This table shows approximate transfer times to Vail from the nearest airports, smaller airports can be more prone to delays.

Airport Distance Transfer Time
Denver 193 km 2 hours
Vail / Eagle County 56 km 45 minutes
Packages with Plane Train or Car

How long is the transfer from nearest United States train station to Vail?

The transfer time from alpine train stations are generally shorter than from airports, Call us for details of Vail transfers.

Station Distance Transfer Time
Denver 200 km 3 hours 20 minutes
Ski Train Holidays

Vail Maps

Vail piste map
Click to Enlarge

More Vail Information

Vail Valley Medical Centre We all know that most mountain sports carry some kind of risk, be it skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking, white water rafting, or even hiking. Should the worst happen and you do get injured, Vail Valley Medical Centre is there to help you in your recovery. A non-profit organisation, it provides a number of services on site, and additional services in its partner hospitals.

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Vail Ski Holiday Resources

Need help choose your Vail ski holiday? Call us on 020 7770 6888 or click Enquire - we love to help!

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Similar Ski Resorts to Vail in United States

United States Ski Holiday Resorts

Every Sno holiday packaged with flights is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. All our suppliers are ATOL bonded, so your money is safe. In addition to this, payments for your holiday are held in trust, by NatWest bank and the Travel Trust, who insure every booking against supplier failure.

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