Ski Report for Vail, Colorado

Daily Ski Conditions for Vail, Colorado

Vail locals are finally smiling again: the mountain picked up a solid refresher this week, and conditions have shifted from “early-season survival mode” to “worth waxing the good skis.”

Vail reported about 6 inches of new snow earlier this week, which gave the groomers a much-needed reset and helped open more terrain across the front side and select back bowls. Patrol has been rolling ropes slowly, so while the whole mountain is not yet fully open, acreage has been creeping up and you can now string together legit top-to-bottom laps without feeling like you’re on repeat all day. Expect a decent mix of beginner and intermediate groomers open, with a growing handful of steeper runs; expert terrain and some of the farther-flung zones are still coming online as coverage improves.

On the snow surface front, think classic mid-January Colorado: mornings are firm and fast on the groomed runs, softening to grippy packed powder and a bit of push-around chop by late morning on the popular pistes. Off-piste is more variable. North-facing shots and sheltered trees are holding some chalky, wintery snow where that recent 6-inch refresh stacked up on the old base, but you’ll still find thin spots, old crust, and the occasional shark lurking just under the surface on bumps and steeps. Anything that baked in the sun before the storm can feel scratchy, especially late in the day, so bring edges that can hold on hardpack. If you wander toward the bowls, treat them with early-season respect: pick your lines carefully and don’t expect full mid-winter hero snow wall-to-wall just yet.

Temperatures are staying very much in “keep the hand warmers handy” territory. Daytime highs around the village and lower mountain are running in the 20s to low 30s Fahrenheit, with upper-mountain readings often a good 10 degrees colder and wind chill driving it down further. Nights have been dropping well below freezing, which is great for preserving the new snow and letting the snowmaking crews keep pumping out man-made on key connectors and high-traffic runs. Expect mostly dry skies for the next five days with only a light dusting at most in the forecast, so what you ride now is going to be all about how the existing snow gets groomed, skied, and refrozen each night rather than big daily refreshes.

For the next stretch, plan on clear to partly cloudy days, cold mornings, and pleasantly crisp afternoons if the sun is out. That means fast groomers first chair, then shifting to softer aspects and lower-angle runs as things warm up. Wind shouldn’t be brutal, but any breeze up high will make it feel significantly colder, so dress in layers you can tweak on the lift. With no big storms on the immediate horizon, visibility should be good, making it a nice window for exploring more of the mountain, hunting for leftover stashes in the trees, and lapping favorite groomers.

Season-to-date snowfall is still running on the lean side compared to a big year, but the mountain now has a solid enough base on main routes that you’re not constantly dodging rocks on every turn. Think “respectable coverage, not yet full-on mid-winter depth.” Snowmaking plus natural snow have combined to give the front side a pretty dependable surface; the farther you push out into off-piste and hike-to terrain, the more you’ll want to dial back the aggression and remember you’re still in the early heart of the season, not March.

A few local-style tips: aim for first chair and chase the grooming report to score buttery corduroy on the big cruisers; when the sun angles up, hit north-facing or tree-lined runs to keep snow quality high. Edges matter more than fat skis right now unless you’re living in the trees. Sunscreen is still essential at elevation even when it feels cold. Keep an eye on the resort’s own snow and terrain report or the Epic app before you boot up; lift and trail counts have been changing quickly as patrol opens new zones and may also close things temporarily for safety work.

If you’re here this week, you’re not getting bottomless blower, but you are getting classic Colorado winter: crisp temps, mostly blue skies, freshened-up coverage, and enough terrain open to keep both skiers and riders happily spinning lifts all day long.

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Ski Report for Vail, Colorado

Daily Ski Conditions for Vail, Colorado

Vail is settling into that classic mid-winter groove right now: plenty of terrain open, chalky groomers in the morning, and softening snow where the sun hits later in the day. Locals are talking about “good coverage, could use another refresh” rather than true mid-season deep, so think all-mountain fun more than snorkel pow.

On the numbers side, the most recent public snow report shows about a 30 inch base, with just under half the lifts spinning: 16 of 33 lifts reported open as of January 7, with terrain expanding as snowmaking and patrol work their magic. That base is enough for solid coverage on the main arteries, but you’ll still want to keep your eyes open near tree lines, cat tracks, and natural rollers where early-season sharks can lurk. Season snowfall to date is tracking below a fat year but in the “decent, not epic” category for early January, in line with the statewide snowpack sitting around 60-ish percent of median.

In terms of fresh snow, the last big reset hasn’t been in the past 24 hours. Regional ski condition roundups this week showed Vail with 0 inches in the previous 24-hour period, so you’re skiing on a mix of older natural snow and a lot of well-farmed manmade. That said, the storm track is trying to wake up: mountain forecasts call for light new snow with around an inch possible into Thursday, with a couple of inches total potential in the next few days rather than a true dump.

Weather-wise, Vail is in that sweet-but-chilly January pocket: daytime highs at the mountain typically in the 20s Fahrenheit with town highs in the upper 20s to low 30s, and overnight lows dropping well below freezing, which is great for preserving surface quality. Expect mostly dry, cold conditions with around 7 hours of sunshine on a typical January day, so you can absolutely get away with one good mid-layer, a shell, and maybe a buff for the ride up Chair 4. Winds are generally light to moderate, but any passing system can still bring gustier ridgelines, so stash a face mask if you plan to lap the Back Bowls.

Looking out over the next five days, models and ski-specific forecasts are hinting at light snow chances and continued cold rather than a big pattern shift: think a couple of weak waves brushing the central and northern mountains, with maybe a few inches total possible and temperatures staying wintery from base to summit. In practice, that means surfaces remain firm to packed powder on the groomed runs, with off-piste slowly getting more supportable but not reset into full-on hero snow.

On-piste, you can expect predominantly packed powder and machine-groomed conditions, with the front-side blues and greens skiing the best for pure carving laps. The steeper groomers off Lionshead and mid-mountain chairs will be money for early-bird corduroy hunters, but will firm up by afternoon, so sharper edges are your best friend. Off-piste and in the Back Bowls, coverage is improving but still not “point-it-anywhere” deep; locals are picking their lines a bit carefully, sticking to established routes and avoiding low, rocky entrances. A lot of tree runs are rideable but still technical, with the best turns where wind has drifted in soft chalk on north-facing slopes.

For riders and skiers planning a visit, it’s a great time for high-speed front-side laps, progression days in the parks and on mellower bowls, and exploring more of the mountain as patrol continues to drop ropes. Hit first chair for the smoothest snow, take a midday break when things get scraped, then enjoy late-afternoon softening on lower, sunnier aspects. Given the below-average statewide snowpack, check the resort’s live report or app the morning of for any terrain, parking, or wind-related updates, and be ready to pounce when that next real storm finally lines up.

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Ski Report for Vail, Colorado

Daily Ski Conditions for Vail, Colorado

Vail just caught a break in what's been a frustratingly lean snow season. As of January 6th, the mountain is sitting on a 30-inch base at lower elevations with a healthier 76 centimeters up at the summit, but here's the exciting part: fresh powder finally arrived. The mountain reported 6 inches of new snow overnight into January 6th, and another inch or two is expected in the coming days as a weak system moves through.

Right now, 16 of 33 lifts are spinning, which means about 31 percent of the terrain is open across roughly 72 kilometers of slopes. It's not a full-blown opening day situation, but there's enough vertical to get some solid runs in, especially if you're flexible about where you ski. The snow quality is being maintained artificially in many areas, which honestly isn't ideal, but combined with the recent natural snowfall, conditions are improving.

The weather picture is a bit of a mixed bag that locals have come to expect this season. Today's high should reach around 39 degrees with mostly cloudy skies before gradually clearing up. Temperatures will drop significantly tonight to the low teens, which is actually perfect for consolidating that fresh snow and keeping conditions consistent through the week. The forecast shows highs in the upper 30s to low 40s through the weekend, with overnight lows dipping into the teens and even single digits by Friday. There's up to 4 inches of snow predicted over the next seven days, with the best chances coming Thursday and Friday when another system moves in.

For those thinking about planning a trip, the 7 to 14-day outlook suggests more typical January patterns developing, with variable conditions and temperatures swinging from mild to well below freezing. If you're heading up this week, layers are absolutely essential. Piste conditions should be transitioning from firm to better as that fresh snow settles and gets tracked out by skiers, while off-piste terrain could offer some nice pockets of powder if you know where to look, though wind and sun exposure will quickly create variable snow crusts depending on slope aspect.

The season officially runs through April 19th, so there's plenty of time for more storms to rebuild the base, but right now getting out there while this fresh powder is still relatively untouched is the move for anyone within driving distance.

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Ski Report for Vail, Colorado

Daily Ski Conditions for Vail, Colorado

Well, if you're thinking about hitting the slopes at Vail, here's what you need to know about conditions right now. The mountain is currently holding about 40 centimeters at the base and 71 centimeters up top, though Mother Nature has been a bit stingy with the fresh stuff lately. The last real snowfall was back on December 7th, so things are getting a little thin on the ground. That said, the resort has been working the snowmaking guns to keep terrain skiable, and they've got 33 of 234 kilometers open, which represents about 14 percent of the mountain. Lifts-wise, 16 of 34 are spinning, so you'll have enough infrastructure to get around and find some decent runs.

If you're the type who needs fresh tracks to get excited, hold tight because snow is actually coming your way. The forecast is looking pretty spicy over the next week. Monday brought some snow overnight, and by the time you're reading this, more powder should be falling. The outlook calls for upwards of 4 inches of new snow over the next seven days, with the heaviest action expected Wednesday through Friday. You could see another inch or two each of those days as storms roll through, which would be a welcome change from the dry spell.

Temperature-wise, don't expect to need your sunglasses from pure sunshine reflection. Highs are hovering in the low 30s Fahrenheit during the day, with nighttime lows dipping into the teens and single digits. The coldest stretch looks like it'll be around January 8th and 9th when you're talking about highs in the high teens and lows near negative 10. Wind is a factor too, so dress in layers because it's going to feel pretty raw out there. The good news is that this cold snap means any new snow will stick around and consolidate nicely rather than getting eaten by warmth.

For the season overall, Vail typically sees around 350 inches of annual snowfall, and the mountain runs through April 19th, so there's plenty of time for conditions to improve. Right now the snowpack is sitting at about 62 percent of median average, which tells you this winter has been below par so far, but those incoming storms should help chip away at that deficit. Just know that if you're coming for bottomless pow, you might need to be patient and strategic about where you ski, but conditions should get better as the week progresses and those storms paint the mountain white again.

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Ski Report for Vail, Colorado

Daily Ski Conditions for Vail, Colorado

Hey shredders, Vail's kicking off the new year with a lean snowpack that's got the groomers working overtime, but prime powder days are teasing us soon. Right now, base depth sits at 28-40 inches with summit around 71 cm (about 28 inches), mostly machine-groomed and packed powder surfaces keeping things carveable on the open runs. New snow's been skimpy—zero in the last 24-48 hours, though 4 inches fell over the past four days, and season total's just 52 inches so far, way below Vail's epic 350+ average.

Only 14% of terrain (33 of 234 km slopes) and 47% of lifts (16 of 34) are spinning, including the valley run for that sweet end-of-day cruise. Fun parks and halfpipes are closed, so stick to the open stuff. Current temps hover chilly: highs near 21-33°F at summit, base around 28-44°F, with light snow showers possible today under partly cloudy skies and west winds.

Gear up for action over the next five days—forecasts scream snowmaking magic! Expect 1-3 cm new stuff today at mountain level, ramping to 9 cm Thursday, with freezing levels dropping low (as low as 34m Friday). Temps dip to 15-28°F highs mid-mountain, perfect for fresh turns, though windy afternoons could gust 25 mph. Locals say watch for thin cover off-piste—avalanche risks are real, so gear up and check reports.

Vail's open daily 8:30a-3:30p through April 19, but call the snow phone (970-476-4888) for real-time tweaks. With storms brewing regionally (4-10 inches New Year's, more incoming), this could turn legendary fast—pack thermals, hit early, and live like a local: scout the bowls for hidden stashes!

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Ski Report for Vail, Colorado

Daily Ski Conditions for Vail, Colorado

Hey shredders, Vail's firing up early season action with over 800 skiable acres open across legendary terrain—think Northwoods, Sourdough, and Riva Bahn ripping right now! Base depth sits at around 40cm (16 inches), climbing to 71cm (28 inches) up high at the summit, mostly packed with that sweet artificial snow keeping things groomed and grippy. No fresh dumps in the last 24 or 48 hours—last natural snow hit December 7—but don't sweat it, the crew's got 16 of 34 lifts spinning (that's nearly half!) and 33km of 234km trails open, including valley runs for easy laps.

Right now, clear spells mix with clouds at the base, temps hovering 30-44°F (freeze-thaw vibes mid-mountain up), perfect for carving without wind blasting your face. Pistes are firm and machine-groomed, ideal for speed demons, but off-piste? Tread light—wind crust possible, and remember, out-of-bounds ain't patrolled, so pack avalanche gear and buddy up. Season total's building slow, but Vail averages 354 inches annually, so prime powder's coming.

Look ahead: Today stays clear and mild (44°F max town), then Mon-Tue brings 1 inch each at altitude with cooling temps (37-35°F highs). Wed-Thu ramps up—2 inches Thu, dropping to 27°F/15°F—before Fri chills hard at 14°F with more flakes. Snow line dips low, so expect fresh stashes all week. Score lift tickets 4+ weeks early to save $100+, and snag Epic Pass perks for next year.

Hit Vail 8:30AM-3:30PM, check the My Epic App for live cams and lines. Early season magic—grab your board and send it!

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Ski Report for Vail, Colorado

Daily Ski Conditions for Vail, Colorado

Hey shredders, Vail's gearing up for epic turns even if it's early season vibes! Right now, the base sits at a solid 18 inches with 40cm (about 16 inches) down low and 71cm (28 inches) up high at the summit—perfect for building that base layer. No fresh dumps in the last 24 or 48 hours, and the last natural snow was back on December 7, but they're making artificial snow to keep things prime. Season total? Still ramping up, but the snowpack's variable with marked obstacles everywhere, so stay alert and ease into it.

Sweet news: 16 of 34 lifts are spinning (that's 47% open), unlocking 33km of 234km groomed pistes (14% terrain)—valley run's good to go for that sweet lap back to the village. Piste conditions are variable with machine-made snow; off-piste is building but risky, so stick to bounds and buddy up. Safety first—save Vail Patrol at 970-754-1911.

Weather's playing nice today: clear skies, temps climbing from -4°C overnight to a balmy 6°C midday at the village, feeling crisp up top. Tomorrow (Sunday) stays sunny, max 7°C/39°F with possible light precip evening. Mon-Tue: up to 1in new snow each day, dropping to 33-40°F—prime powder alert! Wed-Thu-Fri: cloudy to snowy, 1-2in possible Fri with chills to 14°F/8°C lows. Snow line dipping low, so fresh tracks incoming.

Locals tip: Conditions are thin, so hit open lifts early, watch for rocks, and refresh the Responsibility Code. No night skiing or parks yet, but My Epic App has live cams, lines, and alerts—download it! Vail's open through April 19; bundle up and carve smart for those hero snow dreams. Who's dropping in?

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Ski Report for Vail, Colorado

Daily Ski Conditions for Vail, Colorado

Hey shredders, Vail's just kicking off the 2025-26 season with that classic early-winter vibe—think crisp artificial snow keeping things slideable while Mother Nature gears up for more. As of January 1st, the base sits at a solid 40cm (16 inches) down low at 2457m, beefing up to 71cm (28 inches) at the summit around 3527m, all groomed with that machine-made goodness for reliable carving. No fresh dumps in the last 24 or 48 hours—last flakes hit December 7th—but zero recent reports mean exposed spots could be firm, so hit the groomers for max fun.

Right now, 16 of 34 lifts are spinning (that's 47% open), unlocking 33km of 234km slopes (14% terrain), including the valley run—perfect for lapping without hiking. Piste conditions? Artificial snow dominating, grippy for all-mountain sends, but off-piste is a no-go with thin cover and unknown stability—stick to bounds and check avy reports before venturing. Season total snowfall? Still building from a slow start, historically Vail racks 242 inches annually, but Colorado's snowpack needs feet more to catch up.

Weather's biting: today's high near -2°C to 6°C with snow showers possible, lows dipping to -18°C—layer up, folks!. Looking ahead, expect 1-5 inches new snow over the next week, with freeze-thaw cycles (highs -11°C to 3°C, snowline dropping to base level Fri-Sat), then clearing for bluebird potential—prime for pow lines if it stacks. Colorado's eyeing 2-10 inches regionally this weekend, boosting Vail's stashes.

Pro tip: Download the My Epic app for live cams, lift lines, and alerts—lifts open since Nov 14, running to April 19. Weak early snowpack means crowds on open stuff, but it's Vail: endless terrain awaits the buildup. Boots on, send it safe!

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Ski Report for Vail, Colorado

Daily Ski Conditions for Vail, Colorado

# Vail Snow Report: New Year's Day Edition

Welcome back to Vail, where the mountains are calling and the snow is... well, let's be real about where things stand as we kick off 2026. If you're thinking about heading up the mountain today, here's what you need to know.

**Current Conditions on the Mountain**

Right now at Vail, you're looking at 71 centimeters (about 28 inches) of snow at the summit and 40 centimeters (roughly 16 inches) at the base. The resort is currently flying 10 of its 34 lifts and has 49 of 234 kilometers of slopes open, which translates to about 21 percent of the terrain. So yes, it's still early season territory, but there's enough out there to make for a solid day on the hill if you're not too picky about your options.

The last significant snow dump happened way back on December 7th, so the current base is mostly holding steady thanks to some artificial snow assistance. It's a reality check that Mother Nature hasn't been super generous with fresh powder lately, but that's par for the course in early January.

**Weather Right Now and What's Coming**

It's mostly sunny out there today with temperatures hovering around 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit) at the base, cooling down to around minus 8 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit) at higher elevations. Pretty chilly, which is exactly what you want for maintaining snow quality. The wind is light, just a gentle breeze around 5 miles per hour, so it's actually looking like decent riding conditions.

Looking ahead at the next five days, you'll want to keep your eyes on the forecast. There's a chance of up to 1 centimeter of new snow today, with similar amounts possible over the next couple of days. The next week looks fairly dry overall, with temperatures staying in that comfortable cold range. High pressure is moving in, which means mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies through the weekend. If you're hoping for a powder dump to freshen things up, you might need to wait a bit longer, but the sunny forecast means groomers are going to be in top shape.

**The Silver Lining**

Here's the encouraging part: Vail's season runs through April 19th, 2026, so you've got plenty of time for things to improve. The resort averages 354 inches of snow annually, and historically, January is actually the third-best month for snow quality here. Plus, with only about 21 percent of the terrain open right now, the slopes that are available tend to be well-groomed and less crowded than they'll be once we get deeper into the season.

The Back Bowls aren't open yet, but once conditions improve and more terrain gets activated, you'll unlock some of the best skiing in North America. Game Creek Bowl and Blue Sky Basin are legendary when they're dialed in, and with the high altitude of this resort, the snow that does stick around tends to be that light, dry Colorado powder everyone dreams about.

**Bottom Line**

Vail's running lean right now, but the infrastructure is solid and the mountain is operating smoothly. If you're a hardcore skier or boarder who doesn't mind limited terrain and is happy with well-groomed runs, you can absolutely have a great day. Just manage expectations if you're dreaming of untracked powder or epic back-country runs. The forecast looks stable for the next week, so conditions should remain consistent. Come back in a few weeks once more snow falls, and you'll have access to a much bigger playground. For now, what's open is yours to enjoy!

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Ski Report for Vail, Colorado

Daily Ski Conditions for Vail, Colorado

Hey shredders, Vail's kicking off the season with that classic early-winter vibe—think groomed cruisers under bluebird skies, perfect for carving fresh lines before the powder gods unleash. Right now, the base sits at a solid 40 cm (about 16 inches) with 71 cm (28 inches) up top at 3527m, all thanks to machine-made magic since the last natural dump on Dec 7. No new snow in the past 24 or 48 hours, but don't sweat it—only 49 of 234 km slopes (21%) and 10 of 34 lifts are open, focusing on lower-mountain gems with the valley run spinning for easy laps.

Weather's cooperating big time: clear skies today with temps climbing to a balmy 47°F (8°C) at base, dipping to 30°F (-1°C) overnight—prime for cold smokes if you're chasing that artificial fluff. Looking ahead, brace for freshies! Up to 2 inches new snow tomorrow (Jan 1) and Friday, with highs around 37-38°F and snowline dropping to base level for widespread stashes. Weekend clears up to 42-45°F with minimal precip, then cloudy mid-next week with more flakes possible—total 3-5 inches over 7 days. Off-piste? Tread light, locals say assess avy risk and pack your beacon—conditions variable with wind crust potential.

Season total's building slow but Vail's high elevation keeps it reliable at ~350 inches annually; piste is firm/artificial now, ideal for intermediates dialing carves, while parks and halfpipes are closed. Pro tip: Dial the snow phone at +1-970-476-4888 for real-time tweaks, as ops can shift fast. Grab your Epic Pass, hit those early lifts, and own the mountain—Vail's just warming up for epic turns!

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