Vail is a haven for advanced skiers, boasting an impressive 53% of its terrain as black or double black diamond runs. While the resort’s marketing often highlights the legendary backside bowls, the frontside offers equally thrilling experiences with its double black extreme runs and genuinely steep terrain.
If you prefer to stick to the trails, Vail’s frontside offers an abundance of impressive runs. Start your day with the Highline and Northwoods Express lifts, where you can warm up on Northwoods and Northstar before tackling the more challenging Gandy Dancer or Blue Ox. The frontside is also home to some excellent tree skiing, with aspen glades on the lower slopes providing fun and excitement when there’s enough snow.
The thrill of Vail’s advanced terrain lies in the expansive backside bowls and Blue Sky Basin. China Bowl offers exhilarating runs like Genghis Khan, though the run-out on Poppyfields can feel like navigating I-70 at times. Sundown Bowl is perfect for bump runs, with Wow and Ricky’s Ridge offering consistent pitches. Snowboarders should keep their speed on the technical Sundown Catwalk. Siberia Bowl, though a bit harder to reach, tends to be less crowded, providing a more serene skiing experience. Despite its unfortunate closure during our visit, Blue Sky Basin, with its south-facing slopes, maintains its quality well in the spring.
Highline Express is a hidden gem, offering great runs without the crowds. For those seeking steep trails, Prima Cornice and Pronto are must-tries. Prima is particularly challenging due to its length rather than its pitch. The best time to tackle Mudslide and lower Cady’s Café is when the snow conditions are favourable. Gandy Dancer and South Rim offer excellent pitches and tend to hold up well after a snow event. For the exhibitionists, a drop into Zot in front of Mountaintop Express will earn you cheers or jeers, depending on your landing.
Vail may not be known for its steep or technical terrain, but the sheer extent of advanced trails ensures that skilled skiers will have endless adventures. Whether you’re carving through wide-open bowls, navigating tree runs, or tackling steep trails, Vail promises an unforgettable skiing experience.
