Home > Mountain Towns > Vail

Vail, Colorado

It may be an understatement to say that Vail is synonymous with skiing. Vail Ski Resort, one of the largest resorts and ski-corporate entities in North America, shaped this I-70 town. The history of Vail begins during World War II when soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division trained in the area’s backcountry. After the war, several of the members returned with the intention of opening a ski resort. Vail is now the epitome of a winter resort town, complete with palatial hotels, boutique shops, and fine dining. The mountain offers 3,450 feet of knee-burning vertical rise and nearly 5,300 acres of skiable terrain. While the resort has a reputation for catering to the affluent, smaller nearby towns and multiple-resort season passes still keep the ski-bum dream alive. The valley also hosts a plethora of backcountry options if Vail’s six-person chairlifts start to feel claustrophobic. During the summer months, visitors enjoy hiking, golfing, mountain biking, and fishing, all with professionally guided options for those who can afford it. Whether you’re visiting your private mountain villa, or living out of the back of your truck, Vail is still one of the top winter destinations in the US.

Recent Articles

  1. Vail, Colorado: Hidden Gems Without the Price Tag

    By Ben Markhart in Backcountry Skiing, Ice Climbing, Mountaineering

    Even if you’re the type that prefers touring secluded glades and alpine objectives to designer ski suits and 40-minute lift lines, believe it or not, the Vail Valley has plenty to offer. It’s easy to get distracted by the glitzy international resort. With over 5000 acres of terrain and a village chalk full of every […]

Maps

  1. A User Guide to Summit County Colorado

    Sandwiched between the continental divide and a spectacular array of 13- and 14,000-foot mountains, Summit County boasts the highest elevation stretch of I-70 as it crosses central Colorado. With four world-class ski resorts, multiple 14ers, one of the main headwaters of the Colorado River, and an endless amount of alpine terrain, there is a reason […]

  2. Map of Colorado’s Legendary Fourteeners

    If you like high summits, consider moving to Colorado and making it your base camp for years of peak bagging. Colorado even tops Alaska for the number of peaks over 14,000 feet. Sure, there are higher and harder mountains up north, but Colorado has more attainable summits to choose from and a longer climbing season […]

Featured Mountains in Vail

Mountain Approx. Elevation
Vail Mountain 11,161 ft (3,402 m)
Red and White Mountain 11,181 ft (3,408 m)
Ptarmigan Point 10,974 ft (3,345 m)
Mount of the Holy Cross 14,005 ft (4,269 m)
Lionshead 9,921 ft (3,024 m)
Battle Mountain 11,489 ft (3,502 m)
Bald Mountain 12,132 ft (3,698 m)