VAIL'S LEGENDARY TERRAIN

One of the most popular areas of Vail Mountain, Northeast Bowl offers easy access to some of the best terrain, which can be ridden all day. The lift ride is quick, is the first to open, and is the last to close. Speaking of lift rides, Chair 11 has recently been upgraded to a six-pack, reducing wait times and increasing uphill capacity by 25%.

For the early morning powder seekers, Northeast Bowl is the place to go. It offers terrain of varying steepness and difficulty, and suitable for all types of skiing—whether you enjoy the open fields of Northstar, or the tree skiing in Snag Park.

How to Get There

Access Northwoods Express (Chair 11) from Mid-Vail via Mountaintop Express (Chair 4)

If you like ...

• Excellent front side terrain for all ability levels.
• Secluded vibes, yet easily accessible terrain.
• Pristine tree skiing
• Intermediate groomed terrain.
• And powder stashes galore.

... Then you'll love Northwoods.

Timberline Catwalk to Flapjack: 
While Northwoods doesn't have a vast range of beginner terrain options, Timberline Catwalk offers guests one of Vail's best views of the back bowls, over to the impressive Gore Range and across the front side of Vail Mountain. If you're a new or modest skier, don't miss the epic view of this easy, rolling groomer.

Northwoods: 
The central trail on one of the most beautiful and wooded areas on the mountain, Northwoods lives up to its name. Tucked away in a thick grove of trees, the area's namesake run is perfect for any intermediate skier looking to explore the trees.

South Rim:
South Rim is a short yet steep pitch just below the top of Chair 11. Be aware, South Rim is not for the faint of heart. Either make your turns down an open field or through the loosely spaced trees to skiers left. Continue to ski the Chair 11 liftline for some of the most fun expert terrain on the mountain.

Chair 2 is often overlooked as just a method of transportation to other areas of the mountain, but it also has legendary terrain of it's own. With kid's adventure zones like Chaos Canyon and Porcupine Alley, this is a kid-approved area. Not to worry, for those seeking a more adrenaline-boosting experience, Mid-Mountain offers some of the best rolling, wide groomers with plenty of vertical feet to add to your day.

You can also put your skills to the test in our EpicMix race course. And be sure to stop by Waffle Way, at the bottom of Chair 2, for some sweet and savory waffles—as well as sunny locale to kick back and rest your weary legs.

How to Get There

Via Gondola One: Exit the gondola and take Upper Lion's way to the base of Chair 2.

Via Eagle Bahn: Exit the gondola, follow Coyote Crossing to Ledges and continue to Chair 2.

If you like ...

• Family friendly terrain and kids adventure zones.
• Rolling, wide groomers with plenty of vertical feet.
• Fun, friendly mogul skiing.
• And Chicken and waffles

... Then you'll love Chair 2/Mid-Mountain.

Practice Parkway to Ledges: 
Practice Parkway and Ledges offer beautiful views for beginner skiers on a gentle grade. Get the feeling of skiing a big mountain without any of the stress.

Lodgepole:
Lodgepole is a local's favorite. Often groomed, it provides the perfect terrain for intermediate skiers to push themselves to link turns on a steeper grade, build up some speed, and enjoy plenty of vertical feet on their way back down to Chair 2.

Look Ma:
One of the original, and most famous trails on Vail Mountain, Look Ma is a challenging mogul run, and formerly the site of the World Cup Mogul Tour.

Game Creek bowl provides 200+ acres terrain for all ability levels is a perfect introduction to bowl-skiing and a great precursor to skiing the seven legendary Back Bowls.  From wide sweeping green trails, to more advanced gladed terrain, Game Creek Bowl truly has something for everyone. Stop at the top of Chair 7 to take in views of Vail, Beaver Creek and Eagle County to the west or the legendary Back Bowls to the east.

How to Get There

Via Gondola One: Exit the gondola, ride Chair 3 and exit to skiers right.

Via Eagle Bahn: Exit the gondola, follow Game Trail to the base of Chair 7.

If you like ...

• Easy access to classic bowl skiing.
• Pristine gladed terrain.
• And challenging blue terrain.

... Then you'll love Game Creek Bowl.

Lost Boy:
A Vail favorite, follow Lost Boy signs as they lead you on a tour traversing Game Creek Bowl. When you reach the end of the traverse, the mountain will open up and you will be free to carve wide turns on a gradual pitch underneath views of Mount of the Holy Cross.

Dealer's Choice: 
Looking for a challenging blue run? Look no further than Dealer's Choice, which is a fast trail when groomed, and a challenging mogul run when ungroomed.

Ouzo: 
A wide open, steep run, Ouzo allows advanced skiers to endlessly link turns. Ouzo is a great first run on powder days, and when you're feeling more adventurous, just hang a right into Ouzo glade for those untouched patches of snow all skiers crave.

Sun Up and Sun Down will likely be your first views of the iconic Back Bowls of Vail, which are nothing short of amazing. 

With the perfect mix of wide open, sprawling terrain and gladed runs, the ride down is breathtaking. Thanks to the the recent renovation and addition of a high speed quad on the Sun Up Express lift (Chair 9), you'll now enjoy more time skiing while taking in stunning panoramic views and less time on the chairlift.

How to Get There

Via Gondola One: Exit the gondola, ride Chair 4.

Via Eagle Bahn: Exit the gondola, follow Game Trail to Chair 7.

If you like ...

•  Easy access to Vail's back bowl skiing.
• Challenging terrain, with tons of vertical feet to be racked up in EpicMix.
• Tree skiing.
• And powder stashes.

... Then you'll love Sun Up and Sun Down Bowl.

Forever: 
One of the most iconic trails on Vail Mountain, Forever was named by a Vail original, Pepi, of Pepi’s Face and the restaurant in Vail Village. Forever was named when Pepi first skied the run in 1961. Since Vail opened in 1962, Pepi had to hike out from the bottom of the run without the aid of a chairlift. When he finally got back to the top, he said, “By God, that’s a super slope! But it takes forever to climb out!”

Years before it was officially open to skiers, China Bowl was named for its headwall, visible now from the top of Orient Express (Chair 21). This long limestone formation reminded early Vail skiers of the Great Wall of China.

China Bowl, along with Tea Cup, Siberia and Mongolia Bowls, opened in 1988. This expansion more than doubled Vail's skiable acreage and further solidified Vail's reputation as having the best bowl skiing in the country. China Bowl provides intermediate and advanced skiers with wide open fields as well as gladed runs.

How to Get There

From Mid-Vail: Ride Chair 4, then take the Timberline Catwalk to Chair 14.

If you like ...

• Sprawling, wide open terrain.
• Steep skiing.
• And difficult blue terrain, with occasional grooming.

... Then you'll love China Bowl.

Poppyfields West: 
Often groomed, Poppyfields West is a perfect introduction to back bowl skiing in Vail. Plus, you can’t beat the view. Once you’re at the bottom, take the catwalk back to the legendary Blue Sky Basin.

Genghis Khan:
It is steep, wide open and a powder day dream. This is what makes Genghis Khan one of the most Epic runs on all of Vail Mountain.

Looking for some perspective on Vail's 5,289 skiable acres? Head out to Siberia a Mongolia Bowls to experience truly expansive terrain. East of Siberia, no lifts exist, except for the Poma Lift ("Chair" 22).

This area is only recommended for advanced skiers, as the terrain is ungroomed, highly variable and can provide some of the best powder stashes on the mountain—especially on busy weekend days. Be sure to keep your speed at the bottom as the exit catwalk out can be slow moving, which is fitting of its name, the Silk Road.

How to Get There

Locate the Orient Express (Chair 21) and take Silk Road to Poma Lift (22). Siberia Bowl is west of the Poma, Mongolia Bowl is east.

If you like ...

• Getting away from it all.
• Powder stashes, hidden gems and advanced to expert terrain.
• And working for your turns.

... Then you'll love Siberia and Mongolia Bowl.

Outer Mongolia: 
Outer Mongolia is far out. It is the furthest east on the entire mountain, accessible only by Poma Lift 22. For what may seem like a lot of effort to get out there, the snow is often untracked and the views are incredible.

For those who haven't experienced Blue Sky Basin yet, what are you waiting for? A guest and local's favorite, Blue Sky Basin provides a skiing experience like nothing else on Vail Mountain. It is where you will find nature and where you will feel smallest on our huge mountain.

To put things in perspective, Blue Sky Basin is located a whole 5 miles from Vail Village. After much deliberation and planning, Blue Sky Basin opened in 2000, and provides a backcountry type experience amidst mostly open meadows and glades. The area encompasses two more unofficial Back Bowls, Pete's and Earl's, named after Vail's founders.

If you're looking to grab lunch in Blue Sky Basin, there are two restaurant options available. Belle's Camp offers sandwiches, beverages and more—or feel free to bring your own food and take advantage of the free outdoor grills and picnic tables overlooking peaks that go for days. For those looking for a quick bite and a brew, the Dawg Haus, located at the bottom of Chair 39, offers gourmet hot dogs and craft beers.

How to Get There

There are multiple way to get to Blue Sky Basin, but here are the most direct. Refer to the trail map for alternate routes.

Via Gondola One: Exit the gondola, ride Chair 4, then follow Timberline Catwalk to Chair 14, to Poppyfields.

Via Eagle Bahn: Exit the gondola, ski to Chair 2, take Mid-Vail Express to Chair 4, then follow Timberline Catwalk to Chair 14 to Poppyfields.

If you like ...

• Feeling like you are way out in the Rockies.
• Gladed, yet open terrain with trees perfectly spaced.
• Extreme skiing, with an off piste feeling.
• And grab and go lunches complete with craft beer.

... Then you'll love Blue Sky Basin.

Big Rock Park:
This usually groomed trail provides perfectly spaced trees and a backcountry feeling experience that lives up to the name

Lover's Leap:
Up for a challenge? Located directly lookers left, below the Skyline Express Lift (Chair 37), expert skiers find pleasure on Lover's Leap in navigating a large cornice that drops into a steep field, which provides hundreds of vertical feet of exhilarating turns.

The quaint village atmosphere of Golden Peak is home to our renowned Ski & Snowboard School, is the host of some of our signature events, and offers hassle-free access to the mountain via Riva Bahn Express lift (Chair 6).

If you're looking for a bite to eat stop by the recently renovated Golden Peak Grill to enjoy a multitude of food options.

How to Get There

Golden Peak is the easternmost base area on Vail Mountain. Just take the free In-Town bus east to the Golden Peak stop.

If you like ...

• Learning how to ski and ride.
• Terrain parks.
• Stellar events.
• And easy access to the rest of Vail's legendary terrain.

... Then you'll love Golden Peak.

Gopher Hill: 
The perfect place to take a lesson with Vail Ski & Snowboard School. Ease into the day by riding the magic carpet until you are ready to ride Chair 12—your first ski lift.

Ruder's Run:
Ruder's is a wide blue trail that parallels a gorgeous grove of aspen trees.

Golden Peak Race:
The Golden Peak Race Course is a training ground for ski racers, from the local Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy, to full-blown professionals honing their skills for competition season.