vail snow report

vail snow report

Vail Snow Report

1. Overview of Vail Ski Resort

The Frontside has skiing for all abilities, which is one of Vail’s endearing features. There is almost always a green run (easiest) from any point to another, and the same goes for black (most difficult) runs and blue (intermediate) runs. Vail’s grooming is well known with specialist grooming machines, and 21% of the trails being groomed every night. This preparation is what keeps people coming back to ski on Vail’s Frontside year after year. An extensive renovation project in 2006 also saw a number of state-of-the-art snowmaking machines installed on the Frontside, which has made the chance of a canceled trip in early season due to lack of snow very rare.

Founded in 1962 by Earl Eaton and Pete Seibert, Vail has become an extremely popular destination for skiers of all abilities for a number of reasons. One of Vail’s strong points is its accessibility and navigability. Skiing on one of Vail’s mountain ranges called the “Frontside,” you can take a number of different runs to the same point at the bottom. This is great for families and groups of friends that may include skiers of different abilities. Getting up the mountain is also made easy. At the Golden Peak or Lionshead base, Vail has a couple of high-speed quad chairlifts where you can get a start on the day in relative peace and quiet. This is because Vail is such a huge resort spreading across the Frontside and the “Back Bowls” that it is never too far for a long lift ride. These lifts take you to a number of strategic points across the Frontside.

One of the most acclaimed and largest ski resorts in the world, Vail ski resort is situated in the town of Vail in Colorado. It boasts over 5,289 acres of pure skiing paradise, 193 marked skiing trails, 16 ski lifts, and an amazing average snowfall of around 31 feet in a season! It is easy to see why Vail has become such a popular ski destination.

2. Current Snow Conditions at Vail

It’s rather hard to rate the position of Vail’s weather patterns. The area is well known for its wide range of conditions. Everything from full-on blizzards with gale force winds, to days of sunshine and blue skies can be experienced within a short space of time. On the whole, the snow conditions are some of the best in Colorado. Vail is renowned for its light dry snow, which when combined with good visibility, blue skies and freshly groomed runs creates some of the best skiing or boarding conditions anywhere! The snow can be a mixed bag at times, but in general the consensus is usually very positive. With Vail’s location in the Northern Rockies, near to summit country, and its early snowfalls are not uncommon, it is possible to witness powder conditions throughout the season. This for many is the ultimate experience in snow sports, and Vail is definitely a good place to find it.

The 200-odd inches of snowfall experienced in the 2004 season (approx. Dec-April) at Vail is well above the North American average. These fresh, hand-injected snowfalls in the earlier part of the season resulted in an excellent base for the rest of the season. The snow was a little late coming down in November and early December of 2003, but by mid-December the Vail snow machine had started up! It appears to be some type of record for the 2004 season, with heavy snowfalls witnessed practically every week until late April. So, if the snow is early or late next season, be rest assured that it will come down and the conditions will be fantastic. Vail operates over 1100 acres of its own, and a further 350 acres of blue sky basin, so there is plenty of terrain for everyone.

3. Skiing and Snowboarding Opportunities

Vail Mountain has 28 lifts and gondolas that take guests to what seems like the top of the world. These lifts access over 5,289 acres of the most diverse and expansive skiing in North America, including seven bowls and intermediate gladed terrain in Blue Sky Basin. Vail’s seven legendary Back Bowls offer a variety of terrain to choose from. The Sun Up and Sun Down bowls are known for their intermediate and advanced terrain. Orient Express Lift services the Inner Mongolia Bowl and the famous Champagne Glade. The Northwoods Express Lift provides a more secluded experience in the China Bowl. High above the rest, the Pete’s Express Lift gives access to the Outer Mongolia Bowl. Primarily an advanced and expert area, the Back Bowls provide breathtaking views and exciting terrain. Blue Sky Basin is a skier’s and snowboarder’s paradise. This peaceful and uncrowded area is mostly forested with natural terrain parks and halfpipes. Area 51 is nationally acclaimed as one of the best terrain parks in North America. With a 450-yard long superpipe, beginner pipe, and a variety of jumps, this is definitely an area to check out. Vail Mountain, including three terrain parks and one superpipe, offers the most varied and exciting freestyle terrain. Skiers and riders can progress through each park relative to ability and the Golden Peak superpipe hosts major events like the U.S. Snowboard Open and Grand Prix. Vail has a full-service ski and snowboard school with lessons available for beginners to experts. Private and group sessions are available as well as specialty clinics.

4. Amenities and Services at Vail

At Vail, the services and amenities are luxurious, top-quality, and numerous. The pedestrian village is lined with exclusive shops, world-class restaurants, and apres-ski bars. There are numerous coffee shops, as well as a patisserie, ice cream parlors, and gourmet food shops. For off-hill activities, there are movie theaters and ten-pin bowling. Whether you’re looking for it or not, you’ll definitely find it at Vail. Vail takes pride in providing a high level of skier service, including a children’s ski school and licensed daycare available for infants to six-year-olds. There are also three terrain parks for snowboarders at Golden Peak and Lionshead, and two half pipes at Golden Peak and Bwana. To maintain the terrain, we currently put up and maintain 14 features in each of the terrain parks. We want your experience in Vail to be unforgettable and hope that you will return. Aiming to always achieve this goal is what maintains the title of being the third-largest resort in the world. With 193 trails on 5,289 acres, it’s no wonder Vail was recently voted the #4 best overall ski resort by the readers of SKI magazine. Vail also promises the opening and closing dates of early November and the first weekend in May. These dates are longer than any other resort year after year. Come see for yourself and experience a ski vacation like no other.

5. Tips for a Memorable Ski Trip to Vail

Without question, planning a ski trip to Vail is one of the most exciting winter vacations you will ever experience. Vail has become synonymous with the ultimate family ski destination. Vail Mountain is the largest single-mountain ski resort in the United States featuring 5,289 acres of the most diverse and expansive skiing in the world, blessed with over 300 days of sunshine a year. Often travelers on a ski vacation come with high expectations, and Vail always delivers. With so much to see and do while on your ski trip to Vail, it is important to have a good plan in place to ensure that you can make the most of your vacation. Here are some useful tips to ensure that you can have a great ski vacation in Vail. Ski trips are an exciting opportunity for good times and memories with friends and family in picturesque settings. These may be just as easily ruined by a variety of issues especially if it’s the first time you’ve organized a trip to such a location. By taking advantage of these words of wisdom, you can be sure and have an excellent time in Vail.