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Vail Mountain

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 Vail, 81657

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About

Vail Mountain is the ski area that rises straight out of town. At 5,317 skiable acres, Vail calls it the largest ski resort in Colorado, and it runs from 8,120 feet at the base to 11,570 feet at the top. The front side faces the villages with gondolas and long groomed runs; over the ridge sit the seven Back Bowls and, farther out still, Blue Sky Basin.

It works for mixed groups because the terrain is spread so widely: Vail rates it 18% beginner, 29% intermediate and 53% advanced, across 278 trails and 32 lifts, with the longest run, Riva Ridge, stretching four miles. In summer the gondolas keep running for sightseers, hikers and families heading to lunch and activities up top.

Where to get on the mountain

Vail lists four base areas. In Vail Village, Gondola One (#1) is about a seven-minute walk from the Vail Village parking garage. In Lionshead, the Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19) and, in winter, Born Free Express (#8) are about five minutes from the Lionshead garage. Golden Peak, at the east end of Vail Village, is home to Riva Bahn Express (#6) and one of the two Ski & Snowboard School bases; Vail suggests it and Cascade Village for a quicker, quieter start. The Town of Vail's free buses link the bases, so you can leave the car at the garage or your hotel. Parking rates are in the FAQ below.

The Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin

The seven Back Bowls cover 2,785 skiable acres: Sun Down, Sun Up, Tea Cup, China, Siberia and Inner and Outer Mongolia. You do not need to be an expert to ski one. Several bowls have groomed intermediate runs, such as Poppyfields East and West in China Bowl, with views to Blue Sky Basin and Mount of the Holy Cross. Vail's own tip for reaching the bowls early is Riva Bahn Express (#6) from Golden Peak, then Highline Express (#10) and Sourdough Express (#14), which drops you at China Bowl. Beyond the bowls, Blue Sky Basin is Vail's in-bounds taste of the backcountry: open meadows, groomed glades and views of the peaks all around.

Season, tickets and the Epic Pass

Vail Resorts has announced November 13, 2026 as the planned opening day for the 2026/27 winter season. You ride with a lift ticket or a pass, and Vail Mountain is on the Epic Pass; pass holders also get Epic Mountain Rewards discounts on food, lodging, lessons and rentals. Lessons for every age run through Vail Ski & Snowboard School. In summer, scenic gondola tickets take non-skiers up to eat and explore. Vail's hours of operation page and the My Epic app carry the current lift and dining hours.

On the mountain

Mid-Vail is the big quick-service lunch building at the top of Gondola One, with the Powerline Pub on its top floor. The 10th, at the same stop, is the mountain's full-service restaurant; book ahead.

Eagle's Nest is the dining hub at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, where Bistro 14 shares the building. Walking Mountains runs the free Nature Discovery Center in a yurt next door, and in summer Epic Discovery runs its coaster, tubing and climbing wall there.

Buffalo's sits at the top of Mountaintop Express (#4) by the gate to the Back Bowls and serves the mountain's only daily breakfast. Wildwood Smokehouse is the barbecue stop, reached by chairs #3, #17 or Game Creek Express (#7). Two Elk Lodge, at the top of Chair #14 with Back Bowl views, has its own dining and Vail Sports - Two Elk; Vail Sports - Eagle's Nest covers forgotten goggles and gloves at the top of the Eagle Bahn.

Back at the base of Gondola One, Express Lift is the first après stop for anyone skiing down into Vail Village.

Sources: Vail mountain info, The Back Bowls, Getting here & parking, Vail Basecamp, Vail dining, Vail Resorts opening dates. Checked September 24, 2026.

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Vail Mountain
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Vail Mountain
Vail, 81657

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About Vail Mountain

Quick answer: Vail Mountain is a ski resort at Vail Mountain, Vail, CO 81657. Vail Mountain: 5,317 acres, seven Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin, gondolas from Vail Village and Lionshead. Opening day Nov 13, 2026.

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Vail Mountain is the ski area that rises straight out of town. At 5,317 skiable acres, Vail calls it the largest ski resort in Colorado, and it runs from 8,120 feet at the base to 11,570 feet at the top. The front side faces the villages with gondolas and long groomed runs; over the ridge sit the seven Back Bowls and, farther out still, Blue Sky Basin.

It works for mixed groups because the terrain is spread so widely: Vail rates it 18% beginner, 29% intermediate and 53% advanced, across 278 trails and 32 lifts, with the longest run, Riva Ridge, stretching four miles. In summer the gondolas keep running for sightseers, hikers and families heading to lunch and activities up top.

Where to get on the mountain

Vail lists four base areas. In Vail Village, Gondola One (#1) is about a seven-minute walk from the Vail Village parking garage. In Lionshead, the Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19) and, in winter, Born Free Express (#8) are about five minutes from the Lionshead garage. Golden Peak, at the east end of Vail Village, is home to Riva Bahn Express (#6) and one of the two Ski & Snowboard School bases; Vail suggests it and Cascade Village for a quicker, quieter start. The Town of Vail's free buses link the bases, so you can leave the car at the garage or your hotel. Parking rates are in the FAQ below.

The Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin

The seven Back Bowls cover 2,785 skiable acres: Sun Down, Sun Up, Tea Cup, China, Siberia and Inner and Outer Mongolia. You do not need to be an expert to ski one. Several bowls have groomed intermediate runs, such as Poppyfields East and West in China Bowl, with views to Blue Sky Basin and Mount of the Holy Cross. Vail's own tip for reaching the bowls early is Riva Bahn Express (#6) from Golden Peak, then Highline Express (#10) and Sourdough Express (#14), which drops you at China Bowl. Beyond the bowls, Blue Sky Basin is Vail's in-bounds taste of the backcountry: open meadows, groomed glades and views of the peaks all around.

Season, tickets and the Epic Pass

Vail Resorts has announced November 13, 2026 as the planned opening day for the 2026/27 winter season. You ride with a lift ticket or a pass, and Vail Mountain is on the Epic Pass; pass holders also get Epic Mountain Rewards discounts on food, lodging, lessons and rentals. Lessons for every age run through Vail Ski & Snowboard School. In summer, scenic gondola tickets take non-skiers up to eat and explore. Vail's hours of operation page and the My Epic app carry the current lift and dining hours.

On the mountain

Mid-Vail is the big quick-service lunch building at the top of Gondola One, with the Powerline Pub on its top floor. The 10th, at the same stop, is the mountain's full-service restaurant; book ahead.

Eagle's Nest is the dining hub at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, where Bistro 14 shares the building. Walking Mountains runs the free Nature Discovery Center in a yurt next door, and in summer Epic Discovery runs its coaster, tubing and climbing wall there.

Buffalo's sits at the top of Mountaintop Express (#4) by the gate to the Back Bowls and serves the mountain's only daily breakfast. Wildwood Smokehouse is the barbecue stop, reached by chairs #3, #17 or Game Creek Express (#7). Two Elk Lodge, at the top of Chair #14 with Back Bowl views, has its own dining and Vail Sports - Two Elk; Vail Sports - Eagle's Nest covers forgotten goggles and gloves at the top of the Eagle Bahn.

Back at the base of Gondola One, Express Lift is the first après stop for anyone skiing down into Vail Village.

Sources: Vail mountain info, The Back Bowls, Getting here & parking, Vail Basecamp, Vail dining, Vail Resorts opening dates. Checked September 24, 2026.

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Amenities at Vail Mountain

  • 2 gondolas
  • Epic Pass access
  • Ski school bases
  • On-mountain dining
  • Scenic summer gondola

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Vail Mountain open for the 2026/27 ski season?
Vail Resorts has announced Friday, November 13, 2026 as Vail Mountain's planned opening day for the 2026/27 season, conditions permitting. Opening day means limited front-side terrain: the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin open later in the season as snow allows, on their own schedule, and Vail Resorts has not announced a 2026/27 closing date yet. Check the lift and terrain status on vail.com or in the My Epic app before you travel.
Is Vail on the Epic Pass, and what does a pass cost?
Yes. Vail Mountain is a Vail Resorts mountain, and the full Epic Pass gives unlimited, unrestricted access to it. At the operator's August 2026 announcement, 2026/27 prices were $1,119 for an adult Epic Pass ($889 for ages 13-30, $569 for children 5-12) and $829 for the Epic Local Pass, which carries holiday restrictions and a limited number of days at Vail; the customizable Epic Day Pass runs 1-7 days from $47-$99 per day. Pass prices have risen since the fall deadlines, so check epicpass.com for the current price before you buy. Pass holders also get Epic Mountain Rewards: 20% off food, lodging, group lessons, rentals and more.
How do lift tickets work at Vail?
If you do not have a pass, you buy a date-specific lift ticket from Vail Resorts, on vail.com or at the ticket offices in Vail Village and Lionshead. Ticket prices vary by date, and the operator positions its Epic Day Pass (1-7 days, bought in advance) as saving up to 65% against buying lift tickets on the day of arrival, so compare the two before paying window prices. Vail's own visitor FAQ notes lift tickets can be date-changed and unused days refunded.
How big is Vail Mountain?
Vail lists 5,317 skiable acres, the largest ski resort in Colorado, with 32 lifts and 278 trails, a summit of 11,570 feet and a base of 8,120 feet, average snowfall of 354 inches a year, and a longest run, Riva Ridge, of four miles. Terrain splits 18% beginner, 29% intermediate and 53% advanced. The seven Back Bowls alone cover 2,785 acres, with Blue Sky Basin beyond them.
Where do I get on the lifts?
Vail lists four base areas. Gondola One (#1) loads in Vail Village; the Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19) and, in winter only, Born Free Express (#8) load in Lionshead; Riva Bahn Express (#6) loads at Golden Peak, the quieter local's start that Vail recommends for avoiding the biggest volumes; and Cascade Village Lift (#20) serves that village, where parking is guests-only or by bus. Ticket offices are in Vail Village and Lionshead (Golden Peak's is winter only), and the Town of Vail's free buses link all the bases.
Where do I park to ski Vail?
In the Town of Vail's two public garages: the Vail Village garage at 241 E Meadow Dr (about a seven-minute walk to Gondola One) and the Lionshead garage at 395 S Frontage Rd W (about five minutes to the Eagle Bahn Gondola). The Town's winter rates, as republished by Vail Resorts with the start date still to be announced, are $10 per hour up to $30 on non-peak days and $50 on peak days, free entry after 3 p.m. until 4 a.m., and a $60 overnight rate. Many visitors skip the car entirely: Town buses are free.
How do I check snow, lift and terrain status, and the mountain cams?
On the day, use Vail's Lift & Terrain Status page or the My Epic app, which carries real-time lift status and operational alerts, lift-line forecasts, live webcams and weather, and interactive trail maps. That is also where you see which Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin lifts are actually open; they run on a later, snow-dependent schedule than the front side.
Can non-skiers go up the mountain, and what runs in summer?
Yes. In winter, foot passengers ride the gondolas with a ticket that covers the ride, and the on-mountain restaurants at Mid-Vail and Eagle's Nest require lift access, not skis. In summer both gondolas run as scenic rides, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in 2026, Gondola One ran daily from June 12 and the Eagle Bahn from June 19, both through September 7, then Fridays to Sundays through September 27, with one child aged 12 or under riding free per adult scenic ticket, and an optional $30 lunch voucher sold for $25. Next summer's dates are published on vail.com each spring.
Do the on-mountain restaurants take cash?
No. Vail Resorts does not accept cash in its restaurants; major cards, Apple Pay and resort charge are accepted. Epic Pass holders get 20% off food at the cafeteria-style on-mountain restaurants with Epic Mountain Rewards (alcohol excluded).
How do I contact Vail Mountain?
Resort information and activities: (970) 754-8245 (970-SKI-VAIL), or email [email protected]. Ski and Snowboard School: (970) 754-4300. Lift ticket information: (970) 754-0005.

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