The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Vail's summit reaches 11,570 feet, dropping 3,450 vertical feet to a base at 8,120 feet across 195 runs spread over 5,317 acres in Vail, Colorado, making it one of the largest single ski resorts in the United States. Terrain splits 37 per cent intermediate, 32 per cent advanced, 18 per cent beginner and 13 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 300 inches. The resort carries Epic Pass affiliation. Thirty-one lifts, including ten quad chairs and one gondola, serve the mountain alongside seven six-person chairs, four double chairs, four triple chairs and five surface lifts.
Vail holds a distinguished place as the founding resort of what became the world's largest ski resort operator, and its considerable scale, including the famous Back Bowls, makes it one of the most significant single-mountain ski destinations in North America. The purpose-built alpine-style village at its base remains a defining feature.
Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton, both veterans of the US Army's 10th Mountain Division who trained nearby at Camp Hale during the Second World War, discovered the potential of what became Vail Mountain in 1957, and Seibert went on to found Vail Associates. The resort opened in 1962 with a single gondola and modest lift infrastructure, designed around a purpose-built Bavarian-style village unlike any other American ski town of its era.
Vail Associates grew considerably over subsequent decades, eventually becoming Vail Resorts, which has since acquired dozens of resorts across North America and built the Epic Pass into the industry's dominant multi-resort pass. Adult daily tickets run from 219 to 289 US dollars.
3,448ft
Vertical
195
Runs
5,317 acres
Skiable
29ft
Annual snow
Epic
Pass
The Terrain
195 runs across 5,317 acres skiable
Vail spreads 195 runs across 5,317 acres skiable of terrain. It leans advanced at 48%, with 37 beginner runs to find your feet and 102 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
195
runs
195 runs across 4 grades
Beginner37 runs · 19%
Intermediate57 runs · 29%
Advanced94 runs · 48%
Expert8 runs · 4%
Time it right
When to visit Vail
The 2025-26 season at Vail ran from 21 November 2025 to 3 May 2026, a roughly twenty-four-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 300 inches. This extended season reflects Vail's considerable scale and reliable early and late-season conditions across its varied terrain.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions across Vail's Front Side, Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. As the flagship Epic Pass resort within the Vail Resorts network, Vail draws substantial global visitation from Epic Pass holders and destination travellers alike.
Vail's purpose-built alpine village continues to draw considerable visitation for its dining, shopping and nightlife alongside the skiing itself. School holiday periods and major weekends bring some of the heaviest crowds in Colorado, reflecting Vail's status as one of the most internationally recognised ski destinations in the world.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since its 1962 founding by Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton, Vail has grown into the flagship of what became Vail Resorts, the world's largest ski resort operator. The resort's considerable scale and Bavarian-style village remain central to its enduring global reputation.
Season 2025 - 2026
15 Nov 2025
Opens
8 Apr 2026
Closes
144
Days open
29 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Vail, and where to stay
Vail sits in Vail, Colorado, with a base elevation of 8,120 feet and a summit at 11,570 feet across a 3,450-foot vertical drop over 5,317 acres, making it one of the largest single ski mountains in the United States. This setting places the resort directly along Interstate 70, roughly 100 miles west of Denver.
The town of Vail itself, a purpose-built Bavarian-style alpine village established alongside the resort's 1962 opening, offers extensive lodging, dining, shopping and nightlife directly at the mountain's base.
Interstate 70 provides direct access to the resort, making Vail one of the more straightforward major Colorado destinations to reach despite its considerable distance from Denver. Winter driving conditions on the interstate can include snow and ice, particularly near Vail Pass, though the route is well maintained given its status as a major national corridor.
Eagle County Regional Airport, a manageable drive from the resort, offers direct seasonal flights from numerous major US cities, providing a considerably more convenient gateway than the roughly two-hour drive required from Denver International Airport.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Vail, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Aspen Snowmass Marks 80th Anniversary With $3.75 Throwback Lift Tickets
Aspen Snowmass turns 80 this December, and it's marking the milestone with $3.75 lift tickets on the anniversary itself - the original 1946 price. A discounted long weekend, $19.46 dining specials, lodging deals up to 46 percent off, and a season of anniversary programming round out the celebration across all four mountains.
17 Sept 2026
Doppelmayr Group Posts 9.1% Revenue Growth in 2025/26, Passing 1.3 Billion Euros
Doppelmayr closed its 2025/26 business year with revenue up 9.1 percent to 1.3 billion euros, driven by projects including the Big Sky Explorer Gondola, Deer Valley's Mayflower East Village Gondola, and the first TRI-Line installation at Hoch-Ybrig. Headcount grew too, with the ropeway manufacturer now employing almost 4,000 people worldwide.
16 Sept 2026
Hintertux Glacier Replaces 40-Year-Old Gondola to Tuxer Fernerhaus
Hintertux Glacier is retiring its 40-year-old gondola to the Tuxer Fernerhaus. The replacement carries 10 people per cabin instead of four, with seat heating and nearly 40 percent more hourly capacity. Doppelmayr's new line opens at the end of October 2026, right as the glacier's high-altitude terrain becomes accessible again for the new season.
16 Sept 2026
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Vail Webcams
6 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Vail's live webcams
Check live conditions across Vail with 6 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Sun Up Bowl Overlook11,220ft
- Experience unrivaled perspectives over Vail's legendary Back Bowls from this commanding webcam positioned at 3420 meters elevation overlooking Sun Up Bowl. This high-altitude Vail live cam provides spectacular views of Colorado's most famous powder terrain, where thousands of acres of bowl skiing have defined the American ski experience for generations. Essential for expert skiers assessing conditions in these world-renowned bowls, this Vail webcam lets you watch real-time skiing action on terrain that has attracted powder enthusiasts from around the globe to experience the ultimate Colorado back bowl adventure.
- The Back Bowl11,220ft
- Witness the legendary Back Bowls in their full glory through this strategically positioned Vail resort webcam at the entrance to these world-famous slopes at 3420 meters elevation. This essential Vail web cam offers stunning real-time coverage of the terrain that put Colorado skiing on the international map, where experienced riders seek out fresh powder and challenging descents after every storm. Perfect for monitoring conditions in these iconic bowls, this Vail live cam reveals why these expansive powder fields continue to define the pinnacle of American ski resort experiences and attract skiers from every corner of the globe.
- The Gore Range10,981ft
- Experience breathtaking Continental Divide vistas through this panoramic Vail live cam positioned at 3347 meters elevation capturing the majestic Gore Range beyond the Back Bowls entrance. This spectacular Vail webcam reveals sweeping views across Colorado's most dramatic alpine landscape, where towering peaks create the stunning backdrop for world-class skiing. Essential for assessing visibility and weather patterns, this Vail web cam showcases why the combination of challenging terrain and magnificent scenery has made Vail synonymous with the ultimate American ski resort experience, attracting discerning skiers who demand both exceptional skiing and breathtaking beauty.
- Eagles Nest10,351ft
- Discover Vail's western frontier from this Eagles Nest webcam perched high at 3155 meters elevation on the far western edge of the resort's massive terrain. This strategic Vail resort webcam showcases the summit area where adventurous skiers explore advanced terrain across Vail's impressive 5,317-acre playground that spans multiple mountain faces. Essential for expert skiers seeking the full scope of Vail's diverse offerings, this Vail live cam provides crucial intelligence about conditions across terrain that ranges from perfectly groomed cruisers to challenging off-piste adventures in one of North America's most comprehensive ski resort experiences.
- Mid Mountain Snow Stake10,190ft
- Track precise snowfall measurements for optimal powder planning with this specialized Vail cam positioned at 3106 meters elevation monitoring mid-mountain accumulation. This essential Vail webcam serves a crucial purpose for powder hunters, providing exact 24-hour snowfall totals that help you determine which of Vail's legendary powder stashes to explore first. Perfect for timing your approach to fresh snow across the resort's diverse terrain, this Vail live cam delivers the critical intelligence needed to maximize your powder days on slopes that have consistently delivered world-class skiing conditions for over half a century.
- Blue Sky Basin Snow Stake11,480ft
- Monitor snowfall in Vail's most pristine terrain with this Blue Sky Basin snow stake webcam positioned at 3499 meters elevation - the resort's highest webcam location. This crucial Vail web cam tracks accumulation in one of Colorado's most sought-after skiing areas, where untouched glades, natural terrain features, and consistent powder create an unforgettable wilderness skiing experience. Essential for backcountry-style enthusiasts, this Vail live cam provides the intelligence needed to time your visit to Blue Sky Basin, where pristine bowls and natural features offer the perfect complement to Vail's groomed terrain across this legendary Colorado destination.
Vail snow cams FAQ
How often do Vail snow cams update?
All Vail snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Vail.
Which Vail webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Blue Sky Basin Snow Stake webcam at 3,499m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Vail webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Vail lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Vail snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Vail snow cams?
Check Vail webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Vail lift tickets?
Use our Vail webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Vail webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Vail snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Vail intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.