Vail Mountain Ski Area

Vail is America's largest ski resort, boasting 5,289 skiable acres with 34 strategically placed lifts providing access to everything from bunny hills to groomed cruisers, glades, moguls and the famous back bowls. Resort reports say that on an average day at Vail, there are only two skiers per acre - a statistic that doubles on a busy day.

Vail's ski season typically runs from late November to late April from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. With 193 total trails classified as 53% expert/most difficult, 29% intermediate/more difficult and 18% beginner/easiest, there is something for everyone at Vail. The base elevation of 8, 120 feet has a vertical rise of 3,450 feet to Vail's 11,570- foot summit. Along with an average annual snowfall of 346 inches, Vail has a 390- acre snowmaking operation. At night the snowcats groom more than 1,500 acres while the next day skiers may enjoy Vail's reported more than 275 days of sunshine. With no rest for the weary, Vail's longest trail, Riva Ridge runs 4 miles. With three terrain parks (including a superpipe) and reported "parks within parks," freestyle skiers and thrill seekers will be occupied for hours.