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SlopeGuide

© 2026 SlopeGuide. 2025-2026 season data. Resort information is provided for reference only. Verify conditions with official resort websites before traveling.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Vail
🇺🇸

Colorado, United States

Vail Ski Resort

Open NowPeak Season · ~27d left

2025-2026 season dates, 195 trails, lift pass pricing, and monthly snow conditions

Expert Terrain
Apres-Ski Scene
Snow Sure

11,570ft

Peak Elevation

3,450ft

Vertical Drop

195

Trails

354"

Annual Snow

Overview

Vail is a ski resort located in Colorado, United States, sitting at an elevation range of 8,120ft (2475m) to 11,570ft (3527m). With a vertical drop of 3,450ft (1052m), the resort offers 195 trails served by 31 lifts across 5,317 skiable acres. The nearest airport is Eagle County Regional (EGE), approximately 35 minutes by car. The resort receives an average of 354 inches of snowfall annually. Snowmaking covers 38% of the terrain, ensuring consistent conditions throughout the season.

Season Overview

Season Timeline

Mid November to Mid April

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Opens: Mid NovemberCloses: Mid April
Peak Open Early Late Closed

Snow Conditions

Powder

Fresh, uncompacted snow. Ideal conditions.

90cm

Snow Depth

(35")

-5°C

-14°C to -5°C

(7°F / 23°F)

354"

Annual Snowfall

(899cm)

38%

Snowmaking

coverage

Monthly Snowfall

Monthly Snowfall

354"

annual avg

90
Jan
85
Feb
75
Mar
35
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
5
Oct
30
Nov
70
Dec
Peak Open Early Latecm/month

Terrain & Trails

195

Total Trails

31

Lifts

5,317

Skiable Acres

3,450ft

Vertical Drop

Trail Difficulty Breakdown

18%
Beginner: 35 trails
29%
Intermediate: 57 trails
36%
Advanced: 70 trails
17%
Expert: 33 trails
18%Beginner (35)
29%Intermediate (57)
36%Advanced (70)
17%Expert (33)

Vail offers a balanced mix of terrain with 18% beginner, 29% intermediate, 36% advanced, and 17% expert-only runs. The abundance of black and double-black terrain makes this a destination for experienced skiers seeking a challenge.

Lift System & Elevation

31

Total Lifts

3,450ft

Vertical Drop

1,052m

(3,450ft)

Lift Types

Gondola2 (6%)
High-Speed Quad11 (35%)
Fixed-Grip Chair9 (29%)
Surface Lift9 (29%)

Elevation Profile

11,570ft

Peak

8,120ft

Base

Price Trends

Price Trends

Day pass pricing across the season

$263

avg/day

$275
Jan
$285
Feb
$275
Mar
$215
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
$229
Nov
$299
Dec
Peak Shoulder Off-PeakBest value: April ($215)

Best Month to Visit Vail

Top Pick

January

Deep snowfallPeak conditions
67
score
90cm
Moderate
$275/day

January offers the best overall balance of snow quality, crowd levels, and pricing at Vail. Expect reliable powder days with an average of 90cm of fresh snowfall. Moderate crowds mean reasonable lift lines, especially on weekdays.

Runner-Up

February

85cm snow, high crowds, $285/day

Best Value

April

$215/day, 35cm snow, low crowds

Monthly Conditions

Monthly Conditions

Best Month

January

Peak Season

90cm

snowfall

-5°/-14°

high/low °C

crowds

$275

day pass

February

Peak Season

85cm

snowfall

-3°/-12°

high/low °C

crowds

$285

day pass

March

Peak Season

75cm

snowfall

1°/-8°

high/low °C

crowds

$275

day pass

April

Late Season

35cm

snowfall

5°/-3°

high/low °C

crowds

$215

day pass

November

Early Season

30cm

snowfall

0°/-9°

high/low °C

crowds

$229

day pass

December

Open

70cm

snowfall

-3°/-12°

high/low °C

crowds

$299

day pass

Monthly conditions are based on historical averages. Actual conditions vary year to year. Click on any month for detailed weather forecasts, crowd analysis, and packing tips for Vail.

Lift Passes & Pricing

Adult Day Pass

$249

per day

Season Pass

$879

full season

Multi-Resort Pass Inclusion:

Epic

Day pass pricing at Vail varies by date. Peak periods (holidays and weekends) may cost 10-15% more. Purchasing lift tickets online in advance typically saves $10-20 per ticket. Vail is included on the Epic pass, which can offer significant savings for skiers visiting multiple resorts per season.

Getting to Vail

Nearest Airport

Eagle County Regional (EGE)

Approx. 35 min drive

Location

Colorado, United States 🇺🇸

39.6403°N, 106.3742°W

Vail is conveniently located within an hour's drive of Eagle County Regional. Most rental car agencies operate at the airport, and shuttle services are often available during peak season.

Where to Stay

Vail offers a range of accommodation options for every budget. On-mountain lodging provides ski-in/ski-out convenience but typically costs 30-50% more than staying in the nearest town. Budget travelers can find hostel-style accommodations starting around $120 per night, while mid-range hotels and condos average $250-500 per night. Luxury ski-in/ski-out properties can exceed $800 per night during peak periods.

Booking 2-3 months in advance secures better rates, especially for holiday periods. Many resorts offer lift-and-lodging packages that bundle accommodation with multi-day tickets at a discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Vail open for the 2025-2026 season?
Vail typically opens in Mid November and closes in Mid April. Exact dates depend on early-season snowfall and conditions. Check the official resort website for confirmed opening dates.
How much is a day lift pass at Vail?
Adult day lift passes at Vail start at $249 for the 2025-2026 season. Prices vary by date, with holiday and weekend periods typically costing 10-15% more. Booking online in advance often saves $10-20 per ticket.
Is Vail good for beginners?
Vail has 18% beginner terrain, which is below average. While ski lessons are available, intermediate and advanced skiers will find more to explore here. Consider a resort with 25%+ beginner terrain for a first trip.
How much snow does Vail get per year?
Vail receives an average of 354 inches (899cm) of snowfall per year. The resort supplements natural snow with snowmaking on 38% of its terrain.
What is the best month to ski at Vail?
January is typically the best month to ski at Vail, with peak snow conditions, an average of 90cm of snowfall, and moderate crowd levels. January and February generally offer the most reliable conditions.

Quick Stats

Elevation Range
8,120 - 11,570ft
Vertical Drop
3,450ft (1052m)
Trails
195
Lifts
31
Skiable Acres
5,317
Annual Snowfall
354" (899cm)
Season
Mid November - Mid April
Day Pass
$249
Nearest Airport
EGE (35min)

Monthly Guides

JanFebMarAprNovDec

Compare With Nearby Resorts

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Open Now

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Peak

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Trails

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Vertical

●
21%
■
25%
◆
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◆◆
18%
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Ikon

Breckenridge

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Open Now

12,998ft

Peak

187

Trails

3,398ft

Vertical

●
14%
■
31%
◆
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◆◆
22%
Early November – Late May$229/day
Epic

Keystone

Colorado, United States🇺🇸

Open Now

12,408ft

Peak

128

Trails

3,128ft

Vertical

●
12%
■
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◆
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◆◆
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Winter Park

Colorado, United States🇺🇸

Open Now

12,060ft

Peak

166

Trails

3,060ft

Vertical

●
8%
■
19%
◆
37%
◆◆
36%
Mid November – Late April$189/day
Ikon