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Kiddometer Family Fit
Family Balanced
Golden Peak's dedicated beginner base area and strong kids ski school make this workable for young families, but Vail's size, price point, and social scene skew more toward experienced skiers and an adult luxury crowd than a pure family destination.
One of the largest single ski resorts in North America, with the famous Back Bowls for experts and a dedicated beginner learning area at Golden Peak.
Vail Mountain spans 5,317 skiable acres and is one of the biggest single ski areas in North America, with a vertical drop of 3,450 feet. Front Side cruisers, the legendary Back Bowls, and Blue Sky Basin give strong intermediate and advanced skiers a huge amount of terrain, while families start out at Golden Peak, a dedicated beginner base area with its own learning lifts, away from the main mountain's faster traffic. Eagle County Regional Airport is about 30 minutes away with direct winter flights from several major cities, or it is roughly a 2-hour drive from Denver International.
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The UpsideThings Families Love
- ✓5,317 skiable acres -- one of the largest resorts in North America
- ✓Golden Peak dedicated beginner base area, separate from the main mountain
- ✓30 minutes from Eagle County Regional Airport (seasonal direct flights)
- ✓Three terrain parks for a range of ability levels, including a superpipe
Before You BookThings to Know
- !Vail is one of the most expensive resorts in Colorado -- lift tickets and lodging both run high
- !Confirm current ski school minimum age and any free-ski-age policy directly with Vail before booking
- !Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin are advanced/expert terrain, not for beginners -- stick to the Front Side and Golden Peak with young kids
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LogisticsQuick Facts
| Base Elevation | 8,120 ft |
| Vertical Drop | 3,450 ft |
| Skiable Acres | 5,317 |
| Terrain | Mixed Ability |
| Ski School From | Age 3 |
| Address | Vail, Colorado |
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Around the ResortNearby Highlights
→ Vail VillageOn-site
→ Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)35 min drive
→ Beaver Creek10-15 min drive
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Plan Your TripMore Info
Lift ticket prices, hours, and current conditions change often -- check the resort's own site for the latest.
