Vail Skiing and Snowboarding
Vail Resorts is one of the biggest hospitality corporations in the world and owns several dozen ski resorts. Additionally, the Epic Pass originated with Vail Ski Resort. Vail, Colorado, is considered one of the tops resort destinations in North America due to the quality skiing and luxurious amenities. Included at the resort are three main bases with varying ability levels: Lionshead, Vail Village, Golden Peak. Here at Gearo, we want to share with you all the information you need for a ski and snowboard trip to Vail.
| Total Skiable Acres | 5,289 | Beginner Terrain | 18% |
| Base Elevation | 8,120′ | Intermediate Terrain | 29% |
| Summit Elevation | 11,570 | Advanced Terrain | 28% |
| Vertical Drop | 3,450′ | Expert Terrain | 25% |
| Total Lifts | 31 | Average Annual Snowfall | 348″ |
Vail Ski Resort:
Beginner Terrain- Vail Ski Resort
The Lionshead gondola is a great place for beginner and intermediate skiers and riders to start their day. Here, you’ll find nicely groomed runs and access to the Game Creek Bowl. Additionally, this side of the mountain has around 18% beginner runs for those who want to cruise the greens and blues all day and avoid expert terrain. From Lionshead, you can traverse your way over to the Vail Village, meaning you can access to several areas of Vail Resort if you’re up for exploring elsewhere.
Intermediate Terrain -Vail Ski Resort
Vail is best known for its intermediate skiing and snowboarding, with 30% of its runs considered intermediate level terrain. This makes Vail a great option for people who to avoid steeps and extreme terrain like that of Crested Butte or Jackson Hole. You’ll find that the Intermediate level runs on the front side are a good starting point, and for those who want to test their skills, there is easy access to the bowls on the backside. On the front side, it’s worth checking out the runs Born Free and Simba, which are both long, winding, and wide trails that are some of the most popular on the mountain. Lastly, if you’re an intermediate skier or rider that wants to check out the bowls but aren’t ready for varying terrain, head to the Poppyfields trails in the China Bowl for well-groomed bowl runs.
Advanced/ Expert Terrain – Vail Ski Resort
Vail is home to some of the most legendary expert terrain due to the seven back bowls atop the resort. In fact, over 25% of the resort is covered in expert terrain. The advanced terrain is filled with tree runs, powder-filled bowls, chutes, and moguls. Additionally, some of the best trails to hit while exploring the steeps are Riva Ridge and the Sun Up Bowl. Riva Ridge is the longest trail at Vail Resort at a length of 4 miles long, while the Sun Up Bowl features steep chutes through the trees.
Backcountry:
If you are someone who likes to stay away from the busy crowds at Vail Resort, then we advise you to check out Vail Pass. The Vail Pass backcountry is easy to access and sits at a high elevation of 14,000 feet. Additionally, there are over 65,000 acres of terrain, so you won’t have to ski the same line twice. Vail Pass has everything from bowls and trees to large peaks. With moderate terrain to the steeps, this backcountry terrain has access for every level of backcountry enthusiast. The pass includes snowmobile access on the south/west side and non-motorized traffic on the north/east side, making it safe for every visitor. Lastly, if you plan on taking on the backcountry, we advise you go to proper avalanche safety training and bring along the proper gear to keep you and others safe.
