Vail at a Glance

Vail is one of the largest single-mountain ski resorts in North America, built around two pedestrian base villages, Vail Village and Lionshead, with a third base at Golden Peak. The villages open straight onto the slopes and connect by a free in-town shuttle, so getting around is simple.

The resort covers 5,317 acres of skiable terrain, with a broad range of runs. These include the gentle front-side groomers above the villages and the wide intermediate trails of Blue Sky Basin, while stronger skiers and snowboarders can head for the open terrain of the Back Bowls.

 

Fast Facts
Base8,120 ft
Summit11,570 ft
Vertical drop3,450 ft
Skiable terrain5,317 acres
Lifts32
Average snowfall354 in
SeasonMid-November to late April
Nearest airportsEagle County (EGE), 40 min · Denver (DEN), 2 hr

Vail is one of the largest and most attractive ski resorts in the United States, combining extensive mountain terrain with a lively and polished village atmosphere. The resort caters to every ability level, from gentle beginner areas and long, groomed runs to challenging bowls, glades and steeper descents for more experienced skiers.

Away from the slopes, visitors can choose from an impressive range of luxury hotels, private residences and ski-in/ski-out accommodation. Vail Village and Lionshead are also home to excellent restaurants, spas, boutiques and après-ski venues, with regular events and activities adding to the atmosphere throughout the year. This combination of varied skiing, high-quality accommodation and extensive resort amenities makes Vail an excellent choice for families, couples and groups.

Looking for something specific?

Ski-In/Ski-Out

Ski-in/ski-out lodging offers the ultimate slope-side convenience. Enjoy superb access to the mountain and lifts, while avoiding the need for shuttles or crowded car parks. Explore our full collection to book your stay, and enjoy being one of the first on the mountain every morning.

Condo Rentals

Our condo rentals offer the perfect mix of comfort, space, and convenience, with many featuring full kitchens, cozy living areas, and large bedrooms. They are an ideal option for small groups, as well as families seeking a home-away-from-home in the mountains.

Luxury Homes

Indulge in the finest mountain living with our luxury homes, offering spacious interiors, designer finishes, and sweeping alpine views. Relax in style and experience the height of comfort and exclusivity, and enjoy amazing amenities like private hot tubs and game rooms.

Vail Village

Walk The Iconic Streets of Vail Village

The center of Vail Village is home to dozens of hotels, shops, restaurants, bars and après hot spots. Lined with cobblestones and architecture features reminiscent of a centuries-old European village, these shopping and dining passageways are car-free zones, allowing for an outdoor experience like no other.

There is certainly no shortage of activities in Vail Village. Outdoor dining, guided walking tours, movie theaters, a bowling alley, ice skating and free concerts can all be enjoyed here, as well as exciting yearly events like the Vail Oktoberfest. We offer a wide array of Vail Village lodging options, including highly sought after Vail Village condo rentals.

Originally built in the late 60s, Lionshead Vail is completely closed off to cars and busses. It offers a pleasant pedestrian experience with easy walking access to the Eagle Bahn Gondola and Chair #8 Born Free Express and Lionshead ski School.

It is home to some of the best hotels in Vail, including the luxury Arrabelle Hotel and Square that has an outdoor ice rink, and numerous shops and restaurants. Guests can choose from an array of Vail condo rentals, Vail vacation home rentals, Vail Chalet rentals and for our animal lovers, pet friendly hotels.

Ice skaters under twinkling lights at Lionshead Village in Vail, Colorado, surrounded by upscale Vail lodging and alpine-style accommodations.

Discover the Beauty of Lionshead Village

Summer at Golden Peak.

Enjoy the Quiet Seclusion of Golden Peak

Golden Peak

Golden Peak is a quieter and particularly convenient base area located around a five-minute walk east of Vail Village. It is home to Riva Bahn Express Lift #6, Vail Sports Golden Peak and the resort’s main Ski & Ride School facilities, making it a popular starting point for families, beginners and guests looking to avoid the busier central bases.

The area also provides access to Vail’s largest terrain park, although its features can vary throughout the season. From Golden Peak, skiers and snowboarders can reach a range of intermediate and advanced terrain.

Travel Guide

Vail vs Beaver Creek

The Lodge at Vail luxury resortFamily outdoor fun Beaver Creek

Vail and Beaver Creek are both such fun places to live, travel and explore! If you’re looking for an adventurous, exciting, and beautiful vacation, you can’t go wrong with the Vail Valley. An with so many things to do in Vail and Beaver Creek, choosing between them can be tricky…

Our Services

The Travel Whisperer is here to take the hassle out of booking your winter vacation. We have extensive knowledge of our resorts, and will work with you to create a customized itinerary based on your wants and needs, including:

  • Lodging
  • Lift Tickets
  • Equipment Rentals
  • Transportation
  • Vehicle Rental
  • Ski & Snow Boarding Lessons
  • Adaptive Ski Guiding
  • Deliveries for Special Occasions
  • Grocery Shopping & Delivery
  • Restaurant Recommendations
  • In-home Private Chefs
  • Luggage & Parcel Collections
  • Activities Booking
  • Babysitting Services
  • Dog Sitting & Dog Walking
  • Wellness Activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Vail has a large beginner and intermediate footprint, a well-regarded ski school, and two pedestrian villages you can walk straight into for dining and shops. Adventure Ridge at the top of the gondola adds tubing, snowshoeing, and ski-biking for families after the lifts close.
Yes. Vail Mountain is open to both skiers and snowboarders across all of its terrain, including the famous Back Bowls.
Vail is about 40 minutes from Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), the closest airport, and roughly two hours from Denver International Airport (DEN). Many guests fly into Denver and transfer by road, or use Eagle County for a shorter trip.
Vail is on the Epic Pass, operated by Vail Resorts, and it is the company’s flagship mountain. It is not part of the Ikon Pass. You can also buy single-day and multi-day lift tickets directly from the resort, and we can arrange them as part of your stay.
Vail’s ski season usually runs from mid-November to late April. For the most reliable snow, late January through March holds the deepest base, and the Back Bowls are best once they have filled in. In summer, Epic Discovery runs from mid-June with the gondolas, an alpine coaster, hiking, and lift-served biking; it operates daily until Labor Day, then weekends only until it closes in late September. Mid-November, April, and the summer shoulder are quieter, with shorter lift lines and lower lodging rates. See things to do in Colorado in summer.
Yes. We place guests in ski-in/ski-out homes and condos at both Vail Village and Lionshead, so you can step from your door to the slopes. Availability is limited in peak weeks, so it is worth planning early.
They are both Vail Resorts mountains in the same valley, about a 20-minute drive apart. Vail is larger and livelier, with two bustling villages and the Back Bowls. Beaver Creek is smaller, quieter, and especially family-focused, with a more secluded feel. Many guests stay near one and ski both on the same Epic Pass. For a full comparison, see our Vail vs Beaver Creek guide.
Every Vail booking comes with a local concierge. Before you arrive we can arrange lift tickets, ski rentals and lessons, airport transfers, restaurant reservations, and grocery stocking. During your stay you have a direct line for anything you need, from a last-minute dinner table to an extra day on the mountain.

Absolutely loved our stay!

We absolutely loved our stay in this home. It was spacious, clean and convenient to everything we needed. We took advantage of several activities while we stayed here in the summer. We went horseback riding, hiking, white water rafting and did the bike ride down Vail mountain. This was all in addition to the lacrosse we played which was why we were here…for the Vail Lacrosse Tournament. The management staff was incredibly helpful. They met us at the house to let us in, set up an airport transfer and checked in with us throughout our stay. I would absolutely stay here again. We loved our time in this amazing home.

Debbie

Friendly and helpful!

We enjoyed our week. The condo was spacious and comfortable. It was stocked with everything we could want. We used the fitness room and enjoyed the pool and hot tub. The front desk was friendly and helpful.

Glenda

Modern, clean and new-feeling

The condo was the perfect size, style and location for our stay. Modern, clean and new-feeling. Great views and people watching from our deck and family room.

Gwen