Vail Mountain Ski Guide

Vail Mountain is the standard by which American ski resorts are measured. With 5,317 skiable acres, it's Colorado's largest resort and offers terrain that ranges from perfectly groomed boulevards to the legendary Back Bowls—wide-open expanses of above-treeline skiing that draw powder hounds from around the world.

The mountain divides into two distinct experiences: the front side offers tree-lined runs, consistent grooming, and reliable conditions. The back side—seven bowls spanning over 3,000 acres—delivers the powder skiing Vail is famous for. On a fresh snow day, the Back Bowls offer some of the best skiing in North America.

Front Side Terrain

Beginner terrain concentrates around Golden Peak and Lionshead. The gondola from Lionshead accesses Eagle's Nest, with gentle green runs for learning and progression. Vail's ski school operates from both bases with excellent beginner programs.

Intermediate cruising defines much of the front side. Long, wide blue runs like Riva Ridge, Born Free, and Simba offer consistent pitch and immaculate grooming. You can ski thousands of vertical feet on perfect corduroy.

Advanced terrain on the front includes the steeps off Chair 5, Prima Cornice, and the trees throughout. Mogul runs develop on steeper pitches. Blue Sky Basin—accessed from the back—offers challenging terrain in a spectacular setting.

The Back Bowls

Seven bowls span the back side: Sun Down, Sun Up, China, Siberia, Inner Mongolia, Outer Mongolia, and Tea Cup. Each offers slightly different aspects, wind exposure, and snow conditions. Learning to read the bowls is part of the Vail experience.

South-facing aspect means the bowls get lots of sun. Fresh powder tracks out quickly, and afternoon sun affects snow quality. For the best bowl skiing, go early after new snow. By afternoon on sunny days, conditions can get heavy.

Wide-open terrain distinguishes bowl skiing from traditional runs. You pick your line down vast expanses of treeless terrain. The scale is unlike anything else in Colorado—you can see skiers a mile away on adjacent ridges.

Blue Sky Basin offers a different character—more tree skiing and protected terrain. Accessed via two high-speed chairs from the back bowls, it's the newest expansion and often has better afternoon snow due to more shade.

Reading Conditions

Powder days transform the Back Bowls. Fresh snow makes Vail one of the world's great ski destinations. But the south-facing aspect means you need to ski it that morning—by afternoon, sun and tracks will have altered conditions.

Groomed days are front-side days. When the bowls are tracked or wind-affected, stick to the front where grooming creates consistent conditions regardless of recent snowfall.

Wind holds can close bowl lifts. The exposed terrain means high winds shut down Chair 5, Chair 36, and other back-side access. Check the app or call the snow phone before planning a bowl day.

Getting Around

Two base areas: Vail Village and Lionshead. Both access the front side easily. The gondola from Lionshead is popular with families; Vail Village offers more chair options. They're connected by the free bus and a walking path.

Accessing the bowls requires time. From either base, you'll need 2-3 chair rides to reach bowl access points. Plan bowl days as full commitments—the traverse out takes 20+ minutes.

End-of-day logistics matter. Getting from the far bowls back to base requires planning. The Wildwood chair and catwalk traverses close at specific times. Don't get stuck on the back side at closing.