I have a love-hate relationship with Vail. Let me start by saying I've been there a lot of times. To start with, the mountain is massive! Where most ski resorts, at least in the States, comprise of a single mountain side, Vail offers the front side, the quote-on-quote legendary back bowls on the back side, and then back up again to Blue Sky Basin on the mountain behind there again. Where Park City may technically offer more terrain after their combination with the Canyons, Vail offers by far the most interesting terrain both on and off piste amongst the two US mega-resorts.
Let's start with the on-piste: Most of the runs on the mountain would fall into the "blue" category, yet they're quite fun. The most fun blue-runs in my opinion are on the Big Sky Basin side off of the Pete's Express lift. The runs from Mid-Vail on the front side can also be quite fun especially during early season when a limited amount of terrain is open.
But who are we kidding, let's switch to the offpiste stuff, which can be quite epic in Vail, at least for a US resort. The back bowls are not overrated if you get first tracks. But that's the thing, you're not the only one who thinks so. Be prepared to stand in line 3+ hours for first tracks on a big powder day for the gondola to take you up... Despite the massive offpiste terrain, it does tend to track out very quickly on big powder days. Although the terrain is less inspiring on this side, I've found that the area off of the Mongolia T-bar stays fresh a lot longer than the rest of the back bowls (getting back up can be a bit of a trip as you have to take multiple lifts, but perhaps that's also why the snow lasts longer..).
Snow conditions are usually "good", but not always "great". It's Colorado so snow conditions are usually dependable, but rarely in the epic category. I've read somewhere that 85% of the snow in Colorado come from 15% of the snowstorms. With that, there can be long periods between each snow fall, with large differences from season to season of course. And even though we all of course want the big powder days, Vail is actually a great place for blue-bird chill days with its fun groomers and overall less crowds than after a big snow dump.
The town of Vail is also super cool. Modelled after a classic alpine town, it offers all the chic accommodation, restaurants, bars, and fancy shops that you can desire. Cool if you like to see or be seen. Even better if you have the wallet to really live it up. I fit in the "like to see, not be seen" category so always enjoy the people watching downtown while feeling a tad underdressed. I also fit in the category who doesn't like to overspend on accommodation on ski trips so i rarely stay in Vail. Instead. stay at Frisco just 20min up the road, it's a fun, chill, and much more affordable town.
But back to Vail. On the Vail Village side, apres ski at Pepi is a Vail classic and so is Red Lion. And a hot dog at the Blu Cow is a cool hidden gem that is well worth a visit. The George’s is about as close as you can get to a ski-bum/dive bar in Vail and it’s definitely well worth a visit. On the Lionshead side, the Garfinkel is a super-fun apres patio if the sun is out AND you can find a spot.
In general i've found that the Lionshead side of town is a bit less crowded than the Vail Village side, although "less crowded" does not mean "uncrowded". And that brings us to my main issue with Vail. The crowds can be unbearable. The close proximity to Denver, the easy access with the EPIC Pass, and the overall cool town and fun mountain tends to draw masses and masses of people. I've at times had to stand in line 1+ hour just to make it up a lift. Although Vail Resorts have been investing in better lift-infrastructure it tends to only make things slightly more bearable.
Hence my love-hate relationship with the mountain. So many times have I swore I’d never go back. So many times have I bit the bullet and come back. All of that said, Vail is a staple US ski town and destination and is well worth at least one visit if you are a US based skier, if for nothing else just to see what the fuzz is all about.
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Alas, Farewell Vail. For more than 20 years, we have celebrated my birthday at Vail and regret that I won’t be celebrating my 90th this year at Vail due to Vail Resorts, Inc. lack of empathy and ethics.

Last year, due to COVID, we did not ski Vail once. In the spring of 2020, we renewed our Epic Passes to meet the Vail deadline since it appeared that COVID might be improving. The information given by Vail looked as if we could have refunds if necessary and we had their insurance. That fall, Vail automatically charged our credit card for the full cost of EPIC passes, approximately $1,500.

As the season progressed, we were advised not to travel due to our ages and other problems. We obtained the necessary documents from our physicians and submitted them to Vail’s insurance company which refused to refund. We discovered later that Vail Corp. wrote the insurance company’s claims protocol which made it almost impossible to receive refunds.

For many years we have gone to Vail one week each month: Dec., Jan., Feb., March. We have spent many $1,000s on hotel, meals, equipment, clothes, etc. Never again!

After receiving our claim refusal, we sent registered letters to each Vail Corp. board member and CEO. Not one person responded to our letters. We offered to extend our passes to this year. Again, no one bothered to reply.

We’ll miss our stays at the Tivoli Lodge and all the memorable meals, both on the mountain (really enjoyed the 10th) and in town (we loved Big Bear Bistro). We’ll miss sitting at the sushi bars, Osaki and Yama, and the warm reception at Lancelot Restaurant.

Barbara Lenssen
Keith Anderson
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My favorite ski resort, if I had it all to myself! Vail was crowded on weekends in the 90's, now you cant tell a weekday from a Saturday. Not knowing your way around the mountain will definitely put you in long lines. But if you get up early for first chair on a pow day, you can get some great turns in the back bowls and then head to blue sky basin and try to stay ahead of the masses. Hopefully it dumps all day and keeps most of the softer folks inside. Its got good groomers, trees and glades. Typically more snow then summit county.
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Vail is awesome. Ignore the hatters, the fact is it has ascended to its notoriety for a reason. It is crowded, but if you go during the week it is so much fun.
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This was my 3rd time at Vail and on this trip we opted to do 2 days there and 3 at Beaver Creek. I’d recommend getting your rental property at nearby Avon if your looking to save some money and still be super close (11 mins) to Vail, and walking distance to Beaver Creeks gondola. There’s also a shuttle that takes you from Avon to Vail.

Vail has always been a favorite of mine. There’s just soooo many skiable acres that even long after a storm you can still find stashes if you try hard enough. On day one we wanted to ride Blue Sky Basin because none of us had ever ridden back there. So we lapped Orient Express til it opened and then hit the famous Blue Sky Basin. Here’s some of the noteworthy runs we hit: Champagne Glades, the further towards the OOB line you went the more untouched pow you found. The Divide, under the lift line through the trees, it got steep and challenging but it was fun. And Lovers Leap, another fun steep run with some cliff drops up top that leads you down to a little gully.

For lunch we ate at the Two Elk Lodge which was great since they were doing a reservation system you never had to stress to find a table. And as a perk for me, the guy who’s always rushing his friends to get back on the mountain, there’s a 45 min max time for lunch so they literally start kicking you out at the end of it.

After lunch the highlight was hitting Prima Cornice which had been another goal of mine going into the trip. We didn’t drop the cornice itself but instead followed along the ridge of it and dropped into some real steep trees and unexplainably deep powder just where the ridge ends.
Day 2 we found tons of great pow stashes on the frontside in the trees in between Mid-Vail Express and Overeasy, Overeasy and Cold Feet, and in between the switchbacks on Cold Feet. After 3 runs through those we headed to Game Creek Bowl and fell in love with it over there. The first run down Ozou Glades was sunbaked and chunky but im glad we decided to give the other side of the bowl a shot cause it was a dense forest of mellow-angled, deep pow. Everything in the trees from The Woods to Lost Boy had great stashes.

Alright so as far as everything else at Vail. It’s Colorado snow, they get a lot of it and there’s plenty acres to find it. Yes, the lines can be atrocious there. Avoid weekends and holidays and it won’t be too bad. It’s Vail, you know their lift infrastructure is top notch. We didn’t have any awful lines when we went on a Monday and a powday Wednesday. The nightlife is pretty solid too with 2 large base villages and lots of restaurants. It’s absolutely child friendly, its like the Disneyworld of ski resorts. Both the piste trails and off-piste trails are great but in reality you’re a powderhound, your coming to Vail for the off-piste. And it’s one of the best off-piste resorts I’ve ever been to. Now with the value category it gets tricky… Vail has one of, if not THE, most expensive lift tickets you can find. And on a busy weekend that you can’t get a lot of runs in… I'd say it may not be worth it. However, if you can time it right, theres just so much diverse terrain across so many skiable acres that I feel like its definitely worth making a trip to. If you’re an Epic Pass holder you absolutely have to make it out there at some point.
Would I revisit?
Hell Yea.
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some of the best terrain is closed in blue sky leaving 1/3 of the blue sky area closed during christmas week.
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I was totally blown away by Vail. Other ski areas do not compare. The skiing here is on another level. Snow quality, length of runs, lift system, terrain, day lodges, the backbowls (THE BACKBOWLS!!!) are all top notch. This is obviously a very well run ski area. Do yourself a favor. If you have never been to Vail, Go! Every skier and rider in the US should visit here once if they can. Sorry I waited until my 50's to ski Vail. Will return.
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Vail, Such a great mountain. Unfortunately it is just that. The people coming here are not worth writing about. Vail itself cares about the one week tourists and that is all. It is sad. Vail resorts are all about the turn and burn, to make money.
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Wow!! What a resort!
My uncle works here so he basically showed me and my brother around. There are lots of crowds, but there are also lots of places to escape them.
Vail is great for advanced skiiers! I loved Orient Express in the Back Bowls for great pow! (But look out for the "small" cliffs on the skiier's left.).
We also did Highline, Prima, and Pronto, which was my first time on a double black. Advanced skiiers must try these!! The Front Side was great for cruising, but it got crowded. The Back Bowls had the best snow, but they got packed as well. If you want to ski in the Back Bowls but avoid the crowds, do Siberia and the Mongolias.
Blue Sky Basin was my favorite of the three areas. There are great views from Belle's Camp! Resolution was great for bumps!!
On the downside, it was really expensive! The food was the best I've had at any ski resort!
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Vail is huge! In my opinion, it is better value for money than Beaver Creek nearby. It boasts better snow and more terrain options. The dragon's teeth are highly recommended for some fun in the powder.

Because of the sheer size and the excellent aspect of the back bowls, Vail holds snow well and it is relatively easy to find untracked powder.

The town/village of Vail is absolutely beautiful and visitors really should go for a walk throughout it during the evening. The bridges under light are absolutely stunning.

Thoroughly recommended - just don't forget to bring your wallet!

Best suited to: Families with a lot of money! Intermediates chasing excellent intermediate terrain. Great fun for snowboarders when the backbowls are carrying decent powder which is quite often.

Pros:
Resort is so large that it becomes uncrowded
Beautiful village

Cons:
Highly commercial experience
Very expensive
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