Ski Report for Vail, Colorado

Daily Ski Conditions for Vail, Colorado

If you’re gearing up for a Vail adventure on the slopes, here’s the freshest scoop on what’s shaping up at this Colorado classic ski resort. The mountain is sporting a **30 cm (about 12 inches) snow base at the village level**, and around **45 cm (nearly 18 inches) up at the summit**—not quite deep powder, but a solid start to the season thanks mainly to artificial snowmaking for now. The last fresh push of natural snow fell on December 4th, with about 11 cm reported on higher terrain on December 5th, bringing some welcome softness to the trails.

Currently, things are pretty limited in terms of terrain access, with about **6 lifts running out of 34** and **9 trails open out of 278**, mostly around beginner and valley runs, reflecting early season conditions as Vail carefully builds its snowpack. The existing snow is a mix of well-groomed base layers and artificial snow in spots, so expect some firm and fast surfaces—great for confident skiers and riders looking to sharpen their carving skills before deeper snow arrives.

Weather-wise, temperatures have been typical for early December here: daytime highs hovering just below freezing, around -9 to -11°C (12-15°F) at summit levels, and lows dipping as low as -18°C (0°F) overnight at altitude. The village area warms a bit more, near freezing during the day. The forecast calls for mostly cold, clear days with occasional snow showers mainly before the afternoon on some days, including a modest chance of snow showers predicted in the next 24-48 hours that could add an inch or so of powder, but nothing huge yet. Over the next five days, expect temperatures to stay cold with highs ranging from -9°C to about -3°C on sunny or partly cloudy days, typical for a Colorado mountain early in the season.

Off-piste is still very limited and generally not recommended this early before a deeper and more stable base forms. Avalanche danger isn’t a big issue yet given the shallow snow depth, but off-piste enthusiasts should wait for more snow accumulation and official guidance from mountain patrol.

Looking at the broader picture, Vail is on track for a strong season. Historically, this time of year marks the transition from limited opening to slow but steady terrain expansion. The resort normally averages about **354 inches (900 cm) of snowfall over an entire season**, so the season total snowfall is just getting started. Current conditions reflect early season La Niña patterns bringing intermittent storms with spells of wet snow and periods of clearer weather.

For visitors, it’s a good time to test your gear in crisp mountain air, enjoy quieter slopes, and get prepared for the deeper powder days ahead. Lodging deals are still available with some good discounts, and the resort encourages using the My Epic App to stay updated on lift status and real-time mountain alerts. Remember, the snowpack is still thin, so stick to open trails and ski areas, and enjoy the fresh mountain air and breathtaking views without pushing into risky terrain.

In summary, Vail offers a promising start: base layers solid but slim, good early-season snow quality primarily artificial, limited lifts and runs open, cold and mostly clear weather with modest snow in the forecast, and anticipation building for the powder-packed weeks to come. It’s the perfect time to get your legs under you and savor the peace of early season skiing before the crowds arrive and the mountain fully wakes up.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI