Destinations / Colorado / Vail
Vail Travel Guide
Vail is the most efficient Colorado ski trip: a huge mountain on the Epic Pass, about 2 hours from Denver and 35 minutes from Eagle airport. Stay in Vail Village or Lionshead close to a gondola, and know that it feels more like a purpose-built resort than a historic town.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Where I'm sending people now
Fly into Eagle (EGE), about 35 minutes away, or Denver (DEN), about 2 hours when I-70 is clear.
Mid-January to March for the best snow and the Back Bowls, with opening day set for Nov 13, 2026. June to September is quieter and much cheaper, with hiking and gondola rides.
Village luxury hotels run about $900 to $2,500+ a night in ski season and well above that over Christmas. Window lift tickets ran about $307 to $335 a day last season, so buy 30+ days ahead online or get an Epic Pass.
Vail opens Nov 13, but many village restaurants take a fall break until around then (Sweet Basil reopens Nov 12). Driving from Denver, I-70 over the Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass can close in storms, and the traction law applies September through May.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Know before you go
Getting there
Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) has seasonal winter nonstops from major US hubs and is about 35 minutes from Vail. Denver (DEN) has far more flights and international service, with shared shuttles and private cars making the 2 hour I-70 transfer.
Getting around
Vail's free town buses link Vail Village, Lionshead and West Vail, and both villages are walkable, so I only suggest a car if you want to ski Beaver Creek or explore. Being close to Gondola One or the Eagle Bahn Gondola matters more here than room size.
Money and tipping
Vail Resorts prices lift tickets lowest when you buy 30+ days ahead, and an Epic Pass or Epic Day Pass usually pays for itself after a few days. Village parking garages charge in winter, one more reason to skip the rental car.
How I'd spend 4 days
Day 1 Arrive via Eagle, sort rentals in the village and keep dinner close to the hotel.
Day 2 Ski the front side from Gondola One, then après at The Remedy Bar.
Day 3 Ski the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin, or take a snowmobile tour at Camp Hale.
Day 4 Morning laps from Lionshead on the Eagle Bahn Gondola, then fly out.
Tip Save the Back Bowls for the day after a storm, when the snow is soft.
Hotels I'd book in Vail
Things to do in Vail
Where to eat in Vail
Sweet Basil
Mountain Standard
Osaki's
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Vail FAQ
How far is Vail from Denver airport?
About 2 hours and roughly 120 miles on I-70 when roads are clear, but storms and weekend ski traffic can easily add an hour or more. Eagle (EGE) is only about 35 minutes from Vail if you can find a good fare.
Is it better to stay in Vail Village or Lionshead?
Vail Village has more restaurants, shops and après around Gondola One, while Lionshead is a bit calmer, often cheaper and right at the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Free buses connect them, so I choose based on budget and how much nightlife you want.
When does Vail open for the 2026/27 season?
Vail Mountain is scheduled to open Nov 13, 2026, weather permitting. Expect limited terrain in November, with the Back Bowls usually opening once there's enough natural snow, often in December.