Vail Ski Guide (2026/27): Season Dates, Epic Pass, Hotels, Back Bowls, Après & Getting There

The back story

Season 2026/27: Opens 13 Nov 2026 (vail.com); closing date not yet published · Ski area: 5,317 acres, 32 lifts, 278 trails; nearly 3,000 acres of bowls · Top viewpoint: Highest elevation 11,570 ft; the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin · Passes: Epic Pass resort; lift tickets also valid at Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte · Lift company: Vail Resorts · Nearest airports: Eagle (EGE) 35 miles; Denver (DEN) about 118 miles

The back story

Vail: the back story

Vail·In depth

Ute hunting grounds, a highway engineer’s name, soldiers who trained in the snow, and a ski town built from the first day for skiers.

Explore View on map

Lift passes, ski schools and hire

Epic Pass resort, 2026/27

Vail lift tickets and the Epic Pass

Vail·Lift tickets and passes·€€€€

Vail is an Epic Pass resort; lift tickets are priced by date, and buying online at least seven days ahead saves the most.

Explore View on map
5,317 acres, 32 lifts, 278 trails

Vail Mountain

Vail·Mountain·€€€€

Colorado’s largest ski resort, from 8,120 to 11,570 feet, with the four-mile Riva Ridge and nearly 3,000 acres of bowls.

Explore View on map
Seven bowls, nearly 3,000 acres

The Back Bowls

Vail·Bowl skiing·€€€

Vail’s legendary bowls behind the front face, from Sun Up, the founders’ first bowl, to Sun Down, Tea Cup and China.

Explore View on map
645 acres beyond the Back Bowls

Blue Sky Basin

Vail·Remote terrain·€€€

Vail’s farthest outpost, a wilder world of glades and powder beyond the Back Bowls.

Explore View on map
First-timers to experts

Vail Ski & Snowboard School

Vail·Ski school·€€€€

Group and private lessons for every age, with a three-for-two series for adult first-timers.

Explore View on map
Pick Your Own Demo and delivery

Vail ski and snowboard rentals

Vail·Rental·€€€

Resort rentals with more than 60 demo models to choose from and delivery to your hotel at select locations.

Explore View on map
17 km groomed, 10 km of snowshoe trails

Vail Nordic Center

Vail·Cross-country centre·€€

A full-service Nordic centre with groomed classic and skate tracks and snowshoe trails below the Gore Range.

1775 Sunburst Drive, Vail, COExplore View on map

Where to stay, every budget

Who it suits. On a budget: The Evergreen Lodge and West Vail hotels, Epic Day Passes bought early, the town’s buses without a fare, and pizza, deli and café lunches. Mid-range: Family-run lodges such as Pepi’s and the Tivoli, condos with kitchens at Manor Vail and The Wren, and Bavarian dinners at Almresi and Alpenrose. Luxury: The Sonnenalp, Four Seasons and The Arrabelle, lunch at The 10th, and Sweet Basil and Osaki’s from the MICHELIN Guide.

Bavarian style in Vail Village · In depth

Sonnenalp Hotel

Vail·Luxury hotel·€€€€

A family-owned Bavarian-style landmark in Vail Village, with the Sonnenalp Spa, a heated indoor/outdoor pool by Gore Creek, suites with fireplaces and four restaurants.

20 Vail Rd, Vail, COExplore View on map
At the front door to Vail Village · In depth

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail

Vail·Luxury resort·€€€€

Large rooms with stone fireplaces at the front door to Vail Village, with a 13-room spa, a heated year-round outdoor pool, Tavernetta Vail, The Remedy bar and a slopeside ski Chalet.

Vail Rd, Vail, COExplore View on map
Vail’s first hotel, steps from the slopes · In depth

The Lodge at Vail

Vail·Boutique hotel·€€€€

Vail’s first hotel, ski-in, ski-out steps from Gondola One, with an 11-room RockResorts Spa, an outdoor pool and two hot tubs, suites with wood-burning fireplaces, Cucina and Elway’s.

174 Gore Creek Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
Steps from the Eagle Bahn Gondola · In depth

The Arrabelle at Vail Square

Vail·Luxury hotel·€€€€

Ski-in, ski-out on Lionshead’s Vail Square, steps from the Eagle Bahn Gondola, with a 10,000 sq ft RockResorts Spa, a rooftop lap pool and hot tubs, and an ice rink on the plaza.

675 Lionshead Pl, Vail, COExplore View on map
Contemporary mountain lodge · In depth

The Sebastian Vail

Vail·Boutique hotel·€€€€

A contemporary boutique hotel in Vail Village with Bloom Spa, a year-round heated pool and hot tubs, Zuma Vail, The Gambit Bar and slopeside ski valet at Base Camp by Gondola One.

16 Vail Rd, Vail, COExplore View on map
Pepi’s, in the heart of Vail Village · In depth

Hotel Gasthof Gramshammer

Vail·Family hotel·€€€

Pepi’s, the Gramshammer family’s Austrian inn of 38 rooms in the heart of Vail Village since 1964, with Pepi’s Bar, the Antlers Room, a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, and Pepi Sports.

231 Gore Creek Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
One of Vail’s earliest lodges · In depth

Tivoli Lodge

Vail·Boutique lodge·€€€

A family-owned Tyrolean-style lodge of 65 rooms and suites, slopeside by Gondola One, with a mountainside hot tub and fire pit, ski valet, the Brown Hound Lounge and a Grand Lobby breakfast.

386 Hanson Ranch Rd, Vail, COExplore View on map
1,000 feet from Gondola One

Austria Haus Hotel

Vail·Hotel·€€€

A village hotel with a year-round outdoor pool, hot tub and ski-pass sales point.

242 E Meadow Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
Facing the Golden Peak base · In depth

Manor Vail Lodge

Vail·Condo lodge·€€€

A condominium hotel at the base of Golden Peak with two heated outdoor pools, four hot tubs, BioMed Spa Vail, The Fitz, Ridge + River and a daily hot breakfast buffet.

595 Vail Valley Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
By the covered bridge in Vail Village · In depth

Mountain Haus

Vail·Hotel and condos·€€€

Condominiums by the Covered Bridge on Gore Creek, 100 metres from Gondola One, with an outdoor heated pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, a hot yoga room and The George pub.

292 E Meadow Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
Walk-everywhere location

Evergreen Lodge, Vail

Vail·Value hotel·€€

A friendly hotel with a walk-everywhere location and, in its own words, unbeatable value.

250 S Frontage Rd W, Vail, COExplore View on map
Mountain Modern in West Vail

Highline Vail, a DoubleTree by Hilton

Vail·Hotel·€€

A stylish West Vail hotel with three restaurants, ski and bike rental and massage rooms.

2211 N Frontage Rd W, Vail, COExplore View on map
Walk to Vail Village and Golden Peak · In depth

The Wren at Vail

Vail·Condo lodge·€€€

Condominiums between Golden Peak and Vail Village, with a year-round heated pool, two hot tubs, gas fireplaces, full kitchens and a winter skier shuttle.

500 S Frontage Rd W, Vail, COExplore View on map

Restaurants and mountain huts

In the MICHELIN Guide (2026)

Sweet Basil

Vail·Fusion·€€€€

A Vail institution since 1977, loved for lunch, après at the bar and dinners that borrow flavours from around the world.

193 Gore Creek Dr., Vail, CO 81657Explore View on map
In the MICHELIN Guide (2026)

Osaki’s

Vail·Japanese·€€€€

A tiny classic sushi bar with a handful of counter seats and a laser focus on the fish.

100 E. Meadow Dr., Unit 14, Vail, CO 81657Explore View on map
Nobu Matsuhisa in Solaris Plaza

Matsuhisa Vail

Vail·Japanese·€€€€

Nobu Matsuhisa’s Japanese restaurant, with signature sushi and dishes built on seasonal ingredients.

141 E Meadow Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
At Mid-Vail, atop Gondola One

The 10th

Vail·Mountain restaurant·€€€€

Vail’s premier full-service mountain lunch, looking across the Gore Range; reservations required.

Explore View on map
From the creators of Sweet Basil

Mountain Standard

Vail·Wood-fire tavern·€€€

A rustic, relaxed tavern where most of the menu is cooked over an open, live wood fire.

193 Gore Creek Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
Veneto cooking in Vail Village

La Bottega

Vail·Italian·€€€

Authentic Italian cooking from the Veneto with a fine wine list; open in winter.

100 E Meadow Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
Bavarian cooking and black forest cake

Almresi

Vail·German-Austrian·€€

A cosy European restaurant for breakfast, lunch, dinner and après, famous for its homemade black forest cake.

298 Hanson Ranch Rd, Vail, COExplore View on map
Since 1974

Alpenrose

Vail·German-Austrian·€€€

A German-Austrian restaurant established in 1974, with authentic dishes, beer and wine.

100 E Meadow Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
Fondue and schnitzel at the Sonnenalp

Swiss Chalet, Sonnenalp

Vail·Swiss·€€€

Hearty Swiss favourites, schnitzel and fondues at the Sonnenalp Hotel.

20 Vail Rd, Vail, COExplore View on map
Family-friendly in Lionshead

Blue Moose Pizza, Vail

Vail·Pizzeria·€€

Hand-tossed New York-style pizza, sandwiches and salads in Lionshead.

675 Lionshead Pl, Vail, COExplore View on map
A West Vail breakfast favourite

Westside Cafe

Vail·Café and market·€€

One of Vail’s favourite pre-ski breakfasts, with casual lunch and dinner classics.

2211 N Frontage Rd W, Vail, COExplore View on map
Bagels, sandwiches and sundaes

Joe’s Famous Deli

Vail·Deli·€

Breakfast bagels and deli sandwiches on Bridge Street, and famous sundaes and banana splits.

288 Bridge St, Vail, COExplore View on map

Après-ski and bars

At Hotel Gasthof Gramshammer

Pepi’s Bar & Restaurant

Vail·Bar and restaurant·€€€

A Vail Village classic with a full bar and live entertainment seven days a week, and Austrian cooking at dinner.

231 Gore Creek Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
Bridge Street après institution

The Red Lion

Vail·Bar and nightclub·€€

Long known for Vail Village’s après scene, usually packed as skiers come off the slopes.

304 Bridge St, Vail, COExplore View on map
Lionshead deck facing the mountain

Garfinkel’s

Vail·Bar·€€

Garf’s to locals: one of Lionshead’s liveliest après spots, with a deck overlooking the mountain.

536 E Lionshead Cir, Vail, COExplore View on map
Named for two local dogs

Bart & Yeti’s

Vail·Bar·€€

Laid-back burgers, ribs, wings and solid beer in Lionshead, named after two famous local dogs.

553 E Lionshead Cir, Vail, COExplore View on map
Live music, après and late nights

Shakedown Bar

Vail·Live-music bar·€€

An intimate Vail Village bar for live music, après and nightlife, with the occasional surprise performer.

304 Bridge St, Vail, COExplore View on map
Basement pub by the covered bridge

The George

Vail·Pub·€€

A beloved basement pub under the Mountain Haus with a lively après and late-night scene.

292 E Meadow Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
At the Sonnenalp Hotel

Bully Ranch

Vail·Western bar and grill·€€€

A casual Western-style favourite at the Sonnenalp for lunch, dinner or happy hour.

20 Vail Rd, Vail, COExplore View on map

Shops

On Gore Creek Drive

Gorsuch, Vail

Vail·Luxury ski wear·€€€€

Fine luxury ski clothing, cashmere and home goods for the mountain lifestyle.

263 Gore Creek Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
Boots, hats and Pendleton wool

Kemo Sabe

Vail·Western wear·€€€€

Fine cowboy boots, Western wear, jewellery and Pendleton wool in Vail Village.

230 Bridge St, Vail, COExplore View on map
Ski wear, rental and a ladies’ boutique

Pepi Sports

Vail·Ski shop and boutique·€€€

Men’s and women’s ski wear, a full-service ski and rental shop and a ladies’ boutique.

231 Bridge St, Vail, COExplore View on map
In Vail since 1975

The Golden Bear

Vail·Jeweller·€€€

Modern jewellery built around the iconic bear that has come to stand for the Vail lifestyle.

183 Gore Creek Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
Traditional ski shop since 1979

Performance Sports

Vail·Ski shop·€€

A traditional Lionshead ski shop, owned and run by Vail locals since 1979.

531 E Lionshead Cir, Vail, COExplore View on map
West Vail groceries and pharmacy

City Market, Vail

Vail·Supermarket·€

Fresh and packaged food, a deli and a pharmacy in West Vail.

2109 N Frontage Rd W, Vail, COExplore View on map
Groceries, beer and wine

Safeway, Vail

Vail·Supermarket·€

A full grocery store with bakery, deli, beer, wine and liquor in West Vail.

2131 N Frontage Rd W, Vail, COExplore View on map

Spas and wellness

All facilities included with a treatment

Sonnenalp Spa

Vail·Hotel spa·€€€€

The Sonnenalp’s spa, from simple relaxation to extreme pampering, with use of all facilities on the day.

20 Vail Rd, Vail, COExplore View on map
Outdoor saline pool

The Spa at Four Seasons Vail

Vail·Hotel spa·€€€€

Whirlpools, steam rooms and an outdoor saline pool, with a fitness centre and salon.

Vail Rd, Vail, COExplore View on map
10,000 square feet in Lionshead

RockResorts Spa at The Arrabelle

Vail·Hotel spa·€€€€

A 10,000-square-foot spa at The Arrabelle, a calm counterpoint to Lionshead’s bustle.

675 W Lionshead Cir, Vail, COExplore View on map
Colorado-style spa in Vail Village

RockResorts Spa at The Lodge at Vail

Vail·Hotel spa·€€€€

Massages, facials and treatments with an elegant Colorado feel at Vail’s first hotel.

174 Gore Creek Dr, Vail, COExplore View on map
Wildflower-inspired treatments

Bloom Spa at The Sebastian

Vail·Hotel spa·€€€

Vibrant treatments inspired by wildflowers, herbs and trees at one of Vail’s most stylish hotels.

16 Vail Rd, Vail, COExplore View on map
Heated pools and whirlpools

Well & Being Spa at The Hythe

Vail·Hotel spa·€€€

Beauty and therapeutic treatments with heated pools, whirlpools and a steam room in each locker room.

715 W Lionshead Cir, Vail, COExplore View on map

Getting there

Eagle 35 miles, Denver 118 miles

Getting to Vail

Vail·Getting there

Vail is 35 miles from Eagle County Regional Airport and about 118 miles west of Denver International along I-70.

Explore View on map
35 miles from Vail

Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), for Vail

Vail·Airport·€€

The Vail Valley’s own airport, with seasonal flights, car rental and Core Transit buses.

Explore View on map
About 118 miles by I-70

Denver International Airport (DEN), for Vail

Vail·Airport·€€

Colorado’s main international gateway, about 118 miles east of Vail.

Explore View on map
Shared and private transfers

Epic Mountain Express, Vail

Vail·Airport shuttle·€€

Shared and private shuttles from Denver and Eagle airports to Vail’s hotels, formerly Colorado Mountain Express.

241 S Frontage Rd E, Vail, COExplore View on map
Denver to Vail by state coach

Bustang West Line, Vail

Vail·Coach·€

Colorado’s state coach service linking Denver with Vail, Avon and Eagle along I-70.

Explore View on map
No fare, early until late

Vail town buses

Vail·Town bus·€

The Town of Vail’s buses link the villages, ski bases and neighbourhoods without a fare.

241 South Frontage Road East, Vail, COExplore View on map

Property: the neighbourhoods

Cobblestones and chalets beneath Gondola One

Vail Village

Vail·Neighbourhood

The pedestrian heart of Vail, its chalet-style buildings built by the founders in the early 1960s.

Explore View on map
Car-free, by the Eagle Bahn Gondola

Lionshead Village

Vail·Neighbourhood

A car-free village 10–15 minutes’ walk west of Vail Village, rebuilt in an Austrian-inspired style.

Explore View on map
The locals’ portal to the mountain

Golden Peak

Vail·Neighbourhood

A quieter base seven minutes’ walk east of Vail Village, home of the terrain park and ski school.

Explore View on map
West of Lionshead, with its own lift

Cascade Village

Vail·Neighbourhood

An intimate village with its own mountain access from the Cascade lift.

Explore View on map
Residential Vail on the bus routes

East Vail and West Vail

Vail·Neighbourhood

The residential ends of the valley, linked to the villages by the town’s buses.

Explore View on map