Vail Reviews: 4.35/5 from 50+ Verified Skiers | Snomad
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351,166 resort ratings from real skiers
Updated May 2026

Vail Reviews & Ratings

How Skiers Rate Vail

Overall Rating
4.35
Value for Money
3.32
Quiet Slopes
3.63
Après-Ski
4.19
Accommodation Options
4.53
Family Friendliness
4.52
Groomed Runs
4.68
Powder Zones
4.16
Tree Runs
4.21
Mogul Fields
4.03
Off-Piste
4.02
Snow Parks
3.47
Lift Efficiency
4.36
Eating Out
4.39
Ski School Quality
4.51
Beginners
4.42
Intermediates
4.50
Advanced
4.34
Experts
4.19
Snowboarders
4.52

Read All 50+ Vail Reviews

What Skiers Say About Vail

Vail attracts predominantly intermediate to expert skiers and snowboarders who consistently praise the resort's massive size, diverse terrain, and the legendary back bowls. Blue Sky Basin and tree runs receive frequent positive mentions. Reviewers note excellent grooming, efficient lift systems once on the mountain, and a charming European-style village with quality dining options. However, the overwhelming majority cite high costs for everything from lift tickets to accommodation and food as a major drawback. Crowding, particularly at base gondolas and during peak times, is frequently mentioned. Several users note that while the mountain delivers when conditions are good, poor snow years significantly impact the experience, and the resort is criticised for not adjusting pricing accordingly.

AI-generated summary based on verified skier reviews

  • terrain variety
  • back bowls
  • Blue Sky Basin
  • resort size
  • grooming quality
  • tree skiing
  • village atmosphere
  • dining options
  • high prices
  • lift queues
  • expensive accommodation
  • costly food and drink
  • crowding
Filters
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Accommodation Options
Vail has is so large and has so much variety that you can always find good runs regardless of the conditions. The conditions are usually fantastic since they get dry powder storms that drop 3 to 7 inches often.
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Eating Out
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Value for Money
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Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
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Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
This was the largest resort Ive skied and it was massive. There is so much terrain for every level. The most impressive thing are the legendary Back Bowls. It is truly jaw dropping to see Tom a blue bird day. I stood on the rim for a few minutes and admired the view. The accommodation and restaurants was great and the covered parking of the parking garage provided excellent access to your vehicle after a long day on the mountain
Family Friendliness
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Lift Efficiency
Accommodation Options
The early bird takes the worm excellent skiing and snow in March, and much quieter slopes than expected, especially if you are up for first lifts in the morning. I could ski the back bowls, and blue sky basin all day, every day and never get bored.
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
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Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
Great place with lots of pow. A little bit of a drive from the city. I always have a lot of fun here.
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
Honestly love Vail. I come from the east coast and Vail was unlike anything Ive ever seen. Beautiful and spacious, LOTS of eating options in the village and family friendly. Best terrain variety as far as difficulty. Not centered around terrain parks.
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
Vail excels in every single way as a ski resort. It has vast, unique, and diverse terrain that is truly unlike any resort on earth. While pricey, the village has plenty of great food and drink accommodations as well. Despite what people say, Vail doesnt see the crowds of other front range resorts like Winter Park and Breckenridge, especially if you go to the backside. All in all a wonderful mountain experience!
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
Vail resort , one of the first true destination resorts this is BIG mountain with lots of terrain . Parking for day skiers sucks or is very pricey$$ you can access the mountain from the main village European styled or from Lionshead as well . This place has so many options . I am super lucky to have friends that live there and know the mountain so I just follow them . But there is a lot here if the whole mountain is opened and on powder days it is awesome. To me when you mention the names Vail , Aspen , Deer Valley , Sun valley .. think a bit pricey $$$ At vail food on or off the mountain is gonna cost you. The village is great for apres ski and can be a life long memory maker
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Accommodation Options
Crazy cool views and awesome place to go for some groomers not many tree runs but the open bowls are were to go on a snow day
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
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Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Accommodation Options
Corporate ski resort that doesnt take care of their employees, so most of them are disgruntled. $1600 for a private lesson when skiing/riding should be for everyone. Good restaurants in family-friendly pedestrian mall, but zero aprés scene. Decent snow if timed right and nice views, but long lift lines. No halfpipe.
Go somewhere else!
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
Vail is an amazing ski resort.
Front side, back bowls, snow quality, lifts, village - everything is top.

It is not cheap but in my opinion its not too expensive for overall experience.
Definitely one of the best places to ski in North America.
Family Friendliness
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Lift Efficiency
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Vail Mountain is massive and has something for everyone! They take impeccable care of the runs, the lift operators are professional and kind and customer service in the restaurants is very good too. The village is beautiful! Its our number one choice for ski resorts in Colorado!
Family Friendliness
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
Vail is a great ski area that I mostly appreciate for its back bowls.
The front groomers are nice but generally too crowded and with too many people who are not expert skier but the back bowls offer so much ungroomed open fun that makes it worthwhile tp kep going back.
Off-Piste
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Lift Efficiency
I love this resort. So many options to ski and so much fun. It gets very busy but the lines move fairly quickly.
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
Ive been to Vail 4 times now. Every experience has been epic. No pun intended. Ive been with my wife and Ive been with the boyz. The front side is meticulously maintained. Some of the best wide open groomers. The back bowls and Outer Mongolia do not disappoint. The stories are true. LEGENDARY! Ride the orient express lift. Lap Shangrila and the glades. Then head out to blue sky basin. Cloud9 and Heavy Metal trails live up to their names. Endless runs out at Blue Sky.
Night life and dinning is all that it should be. World class. Most recently matsuhisa, mountain standard, and La Nonna. Not a bad thing to say about them. Definitely make reservations. Red Lion for an hometown watering hole.
Family Friendliness
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Mogul Fields
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Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Accommodation Options
There is very much powder good free runs back country access in blue sky basin really recommend it for expert skiers
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
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Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
I worked there for some time and its a great resort where you will 100% have fun. However there are some disadvantages, mainly, this resort gets really crowded which makes good snow conditions and powder last just one or two days.
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options