Epic Pass
$356/day
North America
Vail
Colorado, United States★4.7editor's rating
Vail is the largest single-mountain ski resort in the United States, spanning over 5,300 acres across its Front Side, the famous Back Bowls, and Blue Sky Basin. It's renowned for its vast intermediate and advanced terrain, an upscale European-style base village, and seven legendary back bowls that open up over 3,000 acres of wide-open powder skiing.
Lift Ticket
$356/day
Vertical Drop
3,450 ft
Skiable Area
5,317 acres
Annual Snowfall
354"
Best For
Intermediates & Back Bowls
Terrain Breakdown
Beginner 18% Intermediate 29% Advanced 53%
Mountain Stats
Base Elevation
8,120 ft
Summit Elevation
11,570 ft
Vertical Drop
3,450 ft
Skiable Area
5,317 acres
Lifts
31
Runs
195
Annual Snowfall
354"
Season
Mid-November – Late April
Pass
Epic Pass
Night Skiing
No
Terrain Parks
Yes
Nearest Town
Vail, CO
Highlights
Legendary Back Bowls - 7 bowls spanning over 3,000 acresLargest single ski mountain in the US at 5,317 acresRemote Blue Sky Basin tree and powder terrainBavarian-style pedestrian Vail Village at the base354 inches of average annual snowfallAnchor resort of the Epic Pass network
Pros
- ✓Enormous, varied terrain that takes days to fully explore
- ✓World-class Back Bowls deliver wide-open powder skiing
- ✓Extensive high-speed lift network minimizes lift lines on the front side
- ✓Strong intermediate cruising terrain ideal for groups of mixed ability
- ✓Luxury village amenities, dining, and lodging right at the base
Cons
- ✗Among the most expensive lift tickets in North America (peak ~$356/day)
- ✗Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin close with wind holds and poor visibility
- ✗Heavy crowds on weekends and holidays, especially from Denver day-trippers
- ✗Back Bowls need recent snowfall to ski well and get tracked out fast
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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