Three Days at Vail: Your Quick Ski Trip Guide.
During our 8-day Colorado ski trip, we hadn’t originally planned to stay in Vail—it felt a little out of our budget. But we lucked out and found a two-day ski-in, ski-out condo rental in Lionshead Village on Airbnb, right at the base of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. It was the perfect spot to explore Vail’s famous back bowls, check out the luxury dining, and wander through the shops in the village. Even though it was just a quick stop, it ended up being one of the highlights of our Colorado Rockies adventure.
A view of the Colorado Rocky Mountains from the top of Vail Resort.
An Introduction to Vail: Skiing, Scenery, and More.
Vail is one of those places that feels larger than life. Located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, it’s not just a ski resort—it’s a destination that perfectly blends adventure and luxury. Known for its sprawling back bowls, world-class amenities, and vibrant village life, Vail is something to experience.
Vail has unique village areas, each with its own vibe. Vail Village is the heart of it all, offering a quintessential alpine experience with cobblestone streets, boutique shops, and plenty of dining options. It’s the perfect place to stroll after a day on the slopes. On the other hand, Lionshead Village offers a slightly more laid-back atmosphere while still being packed with great restaurants and high-end accommodations. It’s also where the Eagle Bahn Gondola begins, making it a prime spot for ski-in, ski-out convenience.
These two villages form the core of Vail. Whether you’re after the lively energy of Vail Village or the relaxed charm of Lionshead, there’s a place for everyone to call home during their stay.
In the next section, we’ll dive into our time in Lionshead and why it was the perfect base for our Vail adventure.
Staying in Lionshead: The Perfect Base for Our Vail Adventure.
Top of the resort featuring Lion Square Lodge with its name displayed on the side of the building.
The rooms at Lion Square Lodge can range from $500 and up for a one-night stay. With some research, we managed to lock in a great deal that worked perfectly for our group. Our unit was spacious, with bunk beds for the teens and a private room for the adults, making it a comfortable and practical choice.
The ski-in/ski-out access was unbeatable. Staying right next to the mountain made it easy to hit the slopes and enjoy everything Vail had to offer without hassle. They also provide concierge service for your skis, storing them right at the lift for added convenience.
Day One at Vail
We couldn’t check into our room until 4 p.m., but that didn’t stop us from making the most of our first day at Vail.
Our plan for the day was simple: head straight to Game Creek Bowl. After all, when in Vail, skiing the bowls is a must.
We started by taking the Eagle Bahn Gondola up the mountain. From there, we skied onto Game Trail, which leads to the Game Creek Express Lift—the gateway to the bowls.
Entry to Lost Boy trail, lined on both sides with tall evergreens, as skiers make their way into the run.
At the top of the lift, we made our way to Lost Boy, a trail with an incredible backstory. Named after Martin Koether, a 14-year-old skier who got lost in the undeveloped Game Creek Bowl on April 1, 1964, this run honors his survival. During a blizzard, Martin spent the night in a snow cave under a tree while rescuers searched for him. Against all odds, he made his way out safely the next morning and was found by Ski Patrol.
Lost Boy Trail sign at a Legacy stop, sharing the story behind the trail’s name at the start of the descent down the mountain.
After exploring the bowl, we skied several greens and one blue—Eagle’s Nest Ridge, Overeasy, and Gitalong Road—before heading toward the Avanti Express Lift. From there, we hit several runs that brought us back to our home base: The Meadows, Upper Lions Way, and Born Free.
Our first day totaled 11 miles of skiing, 5 runs, and the longest run at 4.4 miles—a perfect start to our Vail adventure.
Our First Evening in Vail Village.
One of the many buildings in Vail Village, featuring shops on the lower level and condos above.
After a fun day of skiing, we headed to Vail Village. The village has a charming alpine vibe that feels like a European ski town straight out of Austria or Switzerland. The buildings have steep roofs, wooden beams, and balconies with intricate woodwork, giving the entire area a cozy mountain feel. Many exteriors combine stucco and stone in earthy tones, blending perfectly with the snowy surroundings.
The cobblestone streets wind through the village, with fire pits scattered around, making it a great spot to relax and explore in the evening. It’s a mix of rustic charm and upscale touches, creating an inviting and luxurious atmosphere.
We spent time strolling through the village, enjoying the art, people-watching, and browsing the shops, but our main objective was dinner.
We had reservations at Bully Ranch, a restaurant in the Sonnenalp Hotel that’s famous for its burgers. It lived up to the hype—the food was delicious and exactly what we needed after a day on the slopes.
Pro Tip: Make your dinner reservations well in advance when dining in Vail. Restaurants book up quickly, especially during the ski season.
The Back Bowls of Vail: Wide-Open Adventure.
The entry sign for Vail’s Back Bowls marks the gateway to legendary terrain.
Vail’s Back Bowls are iconic and a must-ski for anyone visiting the mountain. Spanning over 3,000 acres, the Back Bowls are known for their expansive, wide-open terrain and breathtaking views.
This terrain is defined by treeless slopes that stretch out endlessly, giving you the freedom to carve big, flowing turns or seek out untouched powder stashes. The snow here tends to stay fresh longer, thanks to the sheer size of the area and its variety of aspects.
Map showcasing the iconic back bowls at Vail, highlighting the vast terrain and legendary runs.
Some of the most well-known Back Bowls include:
China Bowl: Famous for its long, rolling runs and stunning views of the Gore Range.
Blue Sky Basin: Located further out, this area combines powder fields, glades, and a true backcountry feel.
Sun Down and Sun Up Bowls: Easily accessible, these offer steep pitches and wide powder fields.
Teacup Bowl: Compact but fun, with intermediate-friendly terrain.
The Back Bowls are mostly suited for intermediate and advanced skiers, offering a mix of steeper pitches, soft moguls, and rolling fields of powder. The openness of the terrain creates a sense of freedom, and the views make every run feel special. It’s an experience unique to Vail. Learn more about Vail’s Back Bowls here.
Day 2: Bowl Day
We started the day with a relaxed warm-up in Game Creek Bowl, skiing Lost Boy to ease into the morning. But the highlight of the day—and our primary goal—was tackling Vail’s infamous Back Bowls.
Starting from Lionshead, it’s a bit of a trek to reach the bowls. After skiing Game Creek Bowl, we made our way down The Meadows and hopped on The Mountain Top Express Lift to cross over to the other side of the mountain, where both Game Creek Bowl and the Back Bowls lie.
After researching the options, China Bowl stood out as the best choice for its intermediate-friendly runs. Getting there, however, was an adventure in itself. China Bowl is the third bowl off of The Mountain Top Express, and we had to navigate the lengthy Sleepytime Express (a 4.75-mile catwalk) to reach The Orient Express Lift. Needless to say, it took quite a while, and time was running out as the lifts began to close.
Even with the time crunch, our one run in China Bowl was unforgettable. The wide, open terrain of ungroomed powder was a dream to ski, offering that unique, untouched feel that the bowls are famous for. We skied Chopstick and Poppyseed, and it’s safe to say the effort to get there was worth every second.
Kelly waiting at the Orient Express Lift at the base of China Bowl as it nears closing time.
Getting out of the Back Bowls was another adventure. We took The Orient Express Lift back up (just in time before it closed!) and navigated a blue catwalk before hopping on the Wapiti T-bar. From there, we reached Northwoods Express, taking Swingsville, then Upper Lions Way, and finally Born Free back to our home base at Lionshead.
Vail staff handing Kelly the T-bar at Wapiti T-bar lift.
Day 2 Totals:
Distance: 20 miles
Runs: 9
Longest Run: 4.6 miles
It was an incredible day, packed with adventure, and it felt like the perfect way to wrap up our time in the Colorado Rockies. But it wasn’t over just yet—we still had Day 3 to squeeze in a bit more skiing before catching our flight home that evening.
A Special Easter Dinner at Zach’s Cabin at Beaver Creek.
After an amazing day skiing the Back Bowls, we wrapped it up with Easter dinner at Zach’s Cabin, located high above Bachelor Gulch at Beaver Creek. We hopped in our rental car and drove over Vail Pass to reach the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, where our evening adventure began.
Front of Zach’s Cabin at night, featuring a red carpet leading from the Snowcat to the entrance.
Getting to Zach’s Cabin is part of what makes the experience so unique. Guests are taken up the mountain on a snowcat ride outside the Ritz. Before heading up, we stopped at Buffalo’s Bar, located inside the Ritz, for a pre-dinner drink. The cozy atmosphere, with its mountain lodge vibe, was the perfect start to our evening.
Once at Zach’s Cabin, we were welcomed into a warm and inviting space. The menu focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients with a twist of Alsatian inspiration. I ordered the Braised Local Short Rib, which was tender, flavorful, and delicious. Another in our group tried the Smoked Colorado Elk Loin, which they couldn’t stop raving about.
Snow Cat parked at the top of the mountain, ready to take guests back down after an evening dinner.
After dinner, the snowcat awaited us back down the mountain. Riding under the clear night sky and breathing in the crisp mountain air was a peaceful way to end the night.
Pro Tip: Dinner at Zach’s Cabin is open to everyone, but reservations are necessary. If you plan to visit during ski season, book well in advance.
Day 3: Final Day at Vail and the Colorado Rockies
One of the many runs at Vail lined with the leafless white aspen treees.
With our flight scheduled for the evening, we had one more day to hit the slopes before heading home. After packing up our room and loading the car with clothes to change into later, we made the most of our final morning in Vail.
We started by taking the Born Free Express Lift and followed Cub’s Way catwalk to the Avanti Express Lift. From there, we enjoyed the Avanti run, skiing until it transitioned into a black diamond. At that point, we opted for Pika and Lion’s Way, which led us to Avanti Park—a super fun area with features and trails that added some extra excitement to our last ski session.
To wrap up, we skied back to our home base, reflecting on an incredible trip as we prepared to head to Denver Airport. Our last day totaled three runs and 7 miles, a perfect way to close out our time in the Colorado Rockies.
Wrapping Up Our Vail Adventure.
Our time in the Colorado Rockies was unforgettable. Starting at Breckenridge and ending at Vail, this trip was the perfect mix of adventure and charm. Vail, in particular, was a fantastic place to finish our journey.
What stood out the most for me were the Back Bowls—a unique experience that was a first for me. I also loved the alpine-inspired architecture of Vail Village and Lionshead, which added so much character to the resort. Beyond the skiing, the resort was easy to navigate, making every part of the trip enjoyable and stress-free.