Major city · United States
Vail
Stay 2–4 nights: 3+ in ski season, 2 in summer. Base in Vail Village or Lionshead; skip a rental car inside town — the bus is free.
Vail is a ski resort town in the Rocky Mountains of northwestern Colorado, about 100 miles (160 km) west of Denver on I-70. It is built around one mountain and four zones — West Vail, Vail Village, Lionshead and East Vail — with a free town bus linking them. Winter is for skiing and snowboarding; summer is for mountain biking, hiking and rafting. Most trips run 2–4 nights and use the town as a walkable base rather than a driving one.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hike, bike, raft)
- avoid Apr–May and Oct–Nov (mud season, lifts and many businesses closed)
- Airports
- EGE · DEN
- Nights
- 2–4
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Vail911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Vail, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVail is a low-crime resort town; the real risks are winter road conditions, altitude sickness and avalanche terrain off the back bowls.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEGE Eagle County Regional (About 56 km (35 miles) west of Vail; shared van about US$70 per person, county ECO bus about 80 min.).EGE Eagle County Regional (About 35 miles (56 km) west of Vail; shared van about US$70 per person, county ECO bus about 80 min.).
- Getting aroundcheckVail Transit is free and runs between East Vail and West Vail roughly every 30 min, with service until about 2AM (check current schedule).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeUS$4–7
- BeerDraft beer at a village barUS$8–12
- Metro or bus rideTown busFree
- Budget bedHostel or shared-room bed, a night, per personUS$60
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$350
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$900
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$120 · Mid US$300 · High US$700
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EGE Eagle County Regional (About 56 km (35 miles) west of Vail; shared van about US$70 per person, county ECO bus about 80 min.) · DEN Denver International (About 210 km (130 miles) east; the drive crosses two passes over 3,230 m (10,600 ft).)EGE Eagle County Regional (About 35 miles (56 km) west of Vail; shared van about US$70 per person, county ECO bus about 80 min.) · DEN Denver International (About 130 miles (210 km) east; the drive crosses two passes over 10,600 ft (3,230 m).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Best
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest Aug (10 rain days), driest Jun (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Vail: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
8 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
8 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
9 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
8 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Vail Transit is free and runs between East Vail and West Vail roughly every 30 min, with service until about 2AM (check current schedule). Vail Village, Lionshead and Golden Peak are all walkable from each other. A car is more hindrance than help in town because of parking fees; use it only for day trips out of the valley.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Glenwood Springs
goDoor to door: About 1 h
I-70 west, about 95 km (60 miles); Bustang also runs the corridorI-70 west, about 60 miles (95 km); Bustang also runs the corridor
Hot springs pool and the Colorado River; easy half-day.
Breckenridge
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
I-70 east then CO-9 south over Vail Pass and Fremont Pass
Another ski town; go early in winter, the passes close in storms.
Aspen
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
I-70 west to Glenwood Springs, then CO-82
Too far for a relaxed return day; sleep one night.
Palisade
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
I-70 west past Glenwood Springs
Wine and fruit stands; best as a summer day with an early start.
Grand Junction
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 15 min
I-70 west, about 210 km (130 miles)I-70 west, about 130 miles (210 km)
Gateway to Colorado National Monument; pair with Palisade.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Vail Village
Walkable core, closest to the Vista-Bahn and Golden Peak; highest room rates.
Lionshead
Gondola and Eagle Bahn base; the Lionshead parking garage is the shortest walk to the slopes.
West Vail
Cheaper lodging and groceries along the frontage road; 10–15 min by free bus to the lifts.
East Vail
Quietest and often best value; bus ride to the village is longer.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$120–200 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$250–450 excl. bed
- High
- US$600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 3 nights × US$350 | US$1,050 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$300 | US$1,800 |
| Shared van EGE to Vail, one way2 × US$70 | US$140 |
| ECO county bus EGE to Vail, one way2 × US$4 | US$8 |
| Single-day lift ticket, peak2 × US$356 · buy in advance online | US$712 |
| Ski or snowboard rental, one day2 × US$50 | US$100 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$25 | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$386 |
| Trip total≈ US$708 per person per day, bed included | US$4,246 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and lift tickets excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | US$4–7 |
| Burger or bowl at a mountain grill | US$18–28 |
| Draft beer at a village bar | US$8–12 |
| Parking garage, per dayrates rise in ski season | US$25–40 |
| Town bus | Free |
| Gondola ride, summer foot passengerfree down; free for foot traffic after 2PM in winter | US$52 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- I-70 between Denver and Vail can take 3 hours or more on weekend afternoons (roughly 2–6PM) in both winter and summer.
- Winter driving over the Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass can bring black ice, high winds and whiteouts; if you are not used to it, book a shuttle instead of a rental car.
- Parking garages fill on busy days — arrive before 9AM or park in Lionshead.
- Altitude: the valley floor is about 2,475 m (8,120 ft) and the summit is over 3,350 m (11,000 ft); give yourself a day to adjust.Altitude: the valley floor is about 8,120 ft (2,475 m) and the summit is over 11,000 ft (3,350 m); give yourself a day to adjust.
- Lift tickets are expensive — buy in advance online rather than at the window.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
VailVail
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Vail; most countries have consulates in Denver.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- EGE → Vail, shared van: about US$70 per person, 35 miles
- EGE → Vail, ECO bus: about US$4, about 80 min
- DEN → Vail, private shuttle: about US$120–180 per person
- Vail town bus: free, roughly every 30 min until about 2AM
Say or show
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
- One adult lift ticket, please — One adult lift ticket, please
- How much is parking? — How much is parking?
- Is this trail open? — Is this trail open?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- I need help — I need help
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and shuttles.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Vail. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hike, bike, raft) · avoid Apr–May and Oct–Nov (mud season, lifts and many businesses closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for EGE and DEN: last shuttle departures, ECO bus stop location, storm fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Vail Village, Lionshead, Golden Peak, West Vail.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum, gondola, Adventure Ridge) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter-storm and altitude arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.