• A snowy street scene in an alpine village with snow-covered buildings; people are walking, including some carrying ski gear.
  • A snowy street scene in an alpine village with snow-covered buildings; people are walking, including some carrying ski gear.

About Vail

Welcome to Vail, Colorado. Home to 5,289 Acres of Skiable, World-Renowned Terrain, a Destination Truly Like No Place on Earth. 

History

Vail was originally discovered by the Army's Tenth Mountain Division using the area for backcountry survival training. One of these members, Pete Seibert, along with a few others returned to Vail after the war and drew up plans to build a ski resort. By 1966, the Town of Vail was incorporated. Vail had the first gondola in the U.S, along with two double chairlifts which allowed for skiing 6 square miles of terrain.

By the 1970s Vail had earned the reputation of one of Colorado's best ski resorts. Gerald and Betty Ford owned a house in Vail and after Ford was elected President, Vail became recognized world wide as a ski resort. In the 1980s Vail evolved into a year-round resort. Golf courses were built and mountain biking trails were added, gondolas began to transport guests wanting to sightsee.

In the 1990s as part of a partnership between Vail Resorts, the Town of Vail, and the U.S. Forest Service, Blue Sky Basin was opened on Vail Mountain - adding 645 of skiable terrain. Now Vail has two gondolas, one in each village and 31 chair lifts. 

Vail Today

Located just 100 miles west of Denver, Vail is located on the I-70 with easy access from the Denver International Airport and Eagle County Airport. Vail's car-free cobblestone streets along with its beautiful, Bavarian inspired villages were made by skiers for skiers. Visitors will enjoy the one of a kind 5,289 acres of skiing and world-class restaurants and shops that line the village streets. 

Adventure awaits in Vail. While the resort is famous for its vast terrain and excellent snow, Vail offers much more than skiing and snowboarding. Winter activities include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow tubing, and moonlight sleigh rides.

The fun doesn't stop when the snow melts. Vail is a true year-round resort. In the summer and fall, the villages and mountains come alive with a new energy. Vail's on-mountain Epic Discovery offers adventure courses, ziplines, and a mountain roller coaster. Spend a day or a week on Vail Mountain's abundance of hiking trails across meadows and under waterfalls. Take to two wheels and explore the biking trails ranging from family friendly to expert in difficulty. After a day full of nature, kickback, relax and enjoy Vail's world class cuisine at any of the restaurants in Vail Village and Lionshead.

Live music has become a staple in Vail. The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater provides a scenic mountain backdrop and is home to live concerts and performances from some of the world's best musicians. Vail also hosts a number amazing annual events including The GoPro Mountain games, the Vail Dance Festival, Bravo! Concert Series, Vail Jazz Festival, free Hot Summer Nights Concert Series, Taste of Vail, Snow Daze, the Burton U.S Open and many more.

Come choose your adventure in this magical valley and explore one of the world's finest mountain retreats. 

Two people in winter gear standing on a snowy mountain slope, one pointing, with ski poles in hand and trees in the background, under a clear sky.
The image shows two people inside a cable car, with a snowy landscape and another cable car in the background.
A group of people are outdoors in a mountainous area, with one person pointing while others look on or take notes, wearing casual clothes and backpacks.