Vail Ski Map

Vail ski resort in Colorado USA ticks just about every box, and they are all big ticks. Vail is now a top global destination for skiing that attracts big wallets. The prices are high but this is justified by the fact that the experience is great.

Vail stands out as being a big resort with a lot of ski trails, a good altitude range, a great snow record, luxurious accommodation, an efficient lift network, fantastic food, with an upmarket vibe. Many resorts in the US have two or maybe even three of these attributes but rarely all of them.

The architecture gives off, a kind of mock Bavarian on steroids feel, but that is part of the joy of this resort – it’s un-real and your vacation will also be ‘un-real’… in a good way. The town of Vail is definitely a box every keen skier should tick.

The accommodation is varied but tends towards luxury hotels and apartments, your proximity to the slopes will impact the rates you pay for accommodation in Vail, however, there is a very good shuttle bus serving the resort that makes getting around easy. Shopping here is superb. Big brands sit next to luxury boutiques and there are pedestrianised areas offering good restaurants, bars as well as the upmarket boutiques and sports stores you would expect.

Vail has a good apres scene focused in the resort. There are a range of good quality, big bars all of which are lively with excellent service.

On the slopes, the skiing in Vail is extensive, varied, good quality, and with a great snow record. It is busy on the lifts, especially on weekends with good weather, but the expense of the lift pass is invested in an efficient modern lift system that keeps queues to an absolute minimum given the numbers. Once you are up on the slopes you are in for a treat whatever your skiing or snow-boarding ability. There are ski trails to suit every level and you can find space to enjoy the mountain vistas and challenge yourself without feeling you are crammed in by other skiers.

Vail scores highly for both snow and sun. The powder here is good quality and deep. Mix in 300 sunny days per year and hopefully you can now truly understand why this is such a great location and an enviable world class ski resort.

Getting to Vail is easy for international travellers via Denver or for domestic flights via Eagle county airport, being either 2 or 1 hour away respectively.

Our recommendation is, if you can afford it, go. Vail is one of the best resorts in the US and definitely deserving of a ‘world-class’ categorisation.