Vail ski resort guide Ski area, apres-ski, things to see & do in Vail
Overview
Situated high up in the Colorado Rocky mountains, Vail is up there with the very best ski resorts in the world. It is a beautiful high alpine village with superb accommodation, great après-ski, modern infrastructure and is North America's largest ski area covering some 5000 acres.
Après-Ski
The après-ski is vibrant and sophisticated with dozens of wine and piano bars and restaurants around the pedestrian village center. Later on the night clubs open up often with live bands.
Wellness & spa
Vail is not short of high quality spas as you might expect given it's clientele. Most of the wellbeing facilities are in the hotel complexes dotted around the resort.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 2476m |
| Top lift | 3527m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Ski area (acre) | 5289 |
| Longest run | 6 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | km |
| Season | Dec - April |
| Snowboard parks | 3 |
| Heli Skiing | ✘ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✘ |
| Babysitting | ✔ |
| Creche | ✔ |
| Apres ski | Chic and lively |
Vail ski area guide
Vail is North America's largest ski playground catering for all levels but if we are being honest, most of the terrain is for good intermediates and experts. Given that the area is so vast, the Community Guest Service volunteers provide complimentary tours for anybody classed as intermediate or better - definitely worth taking this if you want to get the best out of the area. There are basically 3 areas to ski - the front-side, back bowls and Blue Sky Basin. The front-side offers great variety from gentle, wide cruising blues and reds and beginner area whilst the back bowls are where the hardcore head to.
Beginners
Vail is a great ski resort for any level of skier and for beginners, there are a modest 35 gentle trails that let you explore the mountain in safety.
Intermediate
Skiing in Vail offers miles of piste on the front and back mountain to keep you challenged for weeks on end - the area is quite simply vast.
For a good day of touring, the Blue Sky tour is not to be missed. It should only be done though if you are high level intermediate or better skier or boarder as it takes you into some fairly steep terrain.
Advanced
Heaven is the word to describe Vail for the experts. Basically you have 7 powder back bowls to discover spread over 6 miles.
Snowboard
Another top location for boarders with 3 terrain parks: Golden Peak, Bwana and Pride plus 1 Superpipe and 1 Halfpipe.
Things to see & do in Vail
If you don't fancy skiing or the weather is not that great, Vail has plenty of other activities to keep you occupied. One of the good fun places to check-out is the Adventure Ridge at the top of the gondola. Good fun for all ages with snow tubing and ski biking. For kids aged between 6 and 12, the Blizzard Speedway is great fun cruising around in mini-snowmobiles.
| A few suggestions... | |
|---|---|
| A day in the 10000-square-foot Aria Spa and Health Club | ✔ |
| Farmer's Market held every sunday in Vail Village | ✔ |
| Booth Lake and Booth Falls | ✔ |
| Try a snowmobile safari and explore the back-country | ✔ |
Featured chalets in Vail
In some respects, Vail is a bit like Cortina and Courchevel 1850 in that whilst prices are generally very high, there is still some great value accommodation to be found at certain times of the year. In fact, the newly developed Lionshead area at the bottom of lift 13 provides more accommodation options. This area comes with its own selection of bars and restaurants and tends to a bit cheaper than mainstream Vail but with access to the same ski area.
See all rentalsOur view on ski holidays in Vail
We think Vail is one of those resorts you have to experience at least once in your life - amazing skiing terrain, guaranteed snow, excellent accommodation, superb cuisine and impeccable service.
