VAIL Like nothing on earth.™

Savvy skiers know…Off-Peak is the time to go

Planning a visit to Vail? We’ll let you in on a little secret…there are times each season when prices are lower and the mountain is quieter.

When are these magical times? Basically any date that doesn’t line up with a holiday.

1. Before December 20th
Sneak in some early season turns on the surprisingly quiet slopes before the holiday vacationers come to town. This is a great time to get your ski legs under you while taking advantage of the widespread lodging deals – also keep an eye out for “book by Opening Day November 22nd” offers.

2. The middle weeks of January
In between the New Year’s Eve partiers and the Martin Luther King Day long weekenders lies two weeks of prime time vacation opportunity. With the mountain usually at its full 5,280 acres, grab a room within walking distance of the lifts and explore Vail’s legendary Back Bowls to your heart’s content.

3. Late January to Valentine’s Day
Another prime “off-peak” time sets in after MLK Day and before President’s Day. With the days growing longer and the mountain fully open, this is a great time to get your turns in and saddle up next to other savvy Vail-ites at your favorite restaurants and bars in town.

4. Late February to early March
Enjoy prime skiing and also catch one of the year’s most anticipated events: the Burton US Open March 3-8. While the top snowboarders in the world compete at Golden Peak, you can ski or ride up to the side of the half-pipe and slopestyle courses or just go and enjoy making your own turns on the mountain.

5. Spring – April through Closing Day April 20th
The stuff that classic ski culture is made of – with the sun out most of the day and temperatures typically in the upper 20s, 30s and even low 40s, this is the time of year when Vail visitors flock to the decks of restaurants both on-mountain and in town. There are also free grills located around the mountain if you’d prefer to bring your own picnic. While the sun is usually out, Vail is also known for late-season storms so in between goggle-tan sessions you might just find yourself enjoying a powder day.

 

Other cost saving secrets:

Buy your lift tickets online and in advance. Whether you buy a multi-day pass like the Epic 7 Day or an Epic Day Pass, buying online at least 7 days in advance domestically and 14 days internationally gets you the guaranteed lowest price – plus you can skip the lines at the ticket window!

Have an Epic Pass? You get deals galore. “Flash-Your-Pass” deals include 15% Off Food & Soft Beverages at all on-mountain non-table service restaurants after 2pm as well as rental upgrades and tunes. You even get a 15% discount at Starbucks from 12-2pm! For all the details on these perks visit the Epic Pass Benefits page.

Book your Ski School in advance. Booking at least 48 hours in advance not only guarantees the lowest cost, it also allows Vail’s Ski and Snowboard School to provide you with the best instructor for your needs.