ABOUT CAT SKIING IN VAIL
Vail, Colorado is a municipality located in Eagle County, has 5,300 year-round residents and attracts millions of tourists each year. It is famous for its numerous cultural events held throughout the year, including its Vail Film Festival, and garners widespread favor for its hotels, restaurants, and cafes.
Surrounded by the White River National Forest, Vail receives more than 180 inches of snow each year. The heaviest of snowfalls arrives in November, December, January, and February with these months receiving on average 30 inches of snow apiece. The city’s biggest industry is based on winter sports including cat skiing, which draws thousands to Vail each year. Most of the cat skiing in Vail takes place at its Winter Recreational Area.
There is only one small cat operation permitted by the U.S. Forestry Service in Vail. The single snowcat in use guarantees a minimum amount of cat skiers on the mountain at a single time, this in turn ensures the freshest powder snow.
| Area Overview | |
|---|---|
| CST Rating |  |
| Region Name | Vail |
| Region State | Colorado |
| Region City | Vail |
| Region Country | USA |
| Closest Resort | Vail Ski Resort |
| Optional Resort | Brecken Ridge Ski Resort |
| Optional Resort | Manor Vail Lodge |
Cat Skiing Pictures in Vail
| Area Details | |
|---|---|
| Acres (sq. miles) | 3,500 |
| Skill Level | Strong Intermediate - Expert |
| Annual Snowfall (inches) | 190 |
| Snow Type | Untracked Powder |
| Mountain Range | Rocky Mountains |
| Elevation (feet) | 8,022 |
| Tour Details | |
|---|---|
| Runs per Day | 10-12 |
| Apprx. Vertical Feet per Run | 1,000 |
| Apprx. Vertical Feet per Day | 12,000 |
| Rentals Available | Free |
| Apprx. Cost per Day per Person | $550 |
| Apprx. Cost per Day per Cat | $5,500 |
ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT CAT SKIING IN VAIL
Safety is a priority, which is why skiers can expect to be paired with expert guides. In fact, advance reservations are required for this reason and to ensure that the guides can handle the number of skiers in their parties. Payment for reservations is collected when the availability of seats in the snow cat are confirmed.
Rates for a day of cat skiing in Vail start at around $500 per seat on the snowcat. To book all 12 seats, the cost averages around $5,000 per day. The price of reservations guarantees guests’ access to guided backcountry skiing, free use of the resort’s powder-specific skis or snowboards, professional guided services, and lunch in the resort’s yurt. The cat operates only when weather conditions permit.
The terrain itself spans 3,500 acres and features open bowls, treed glades, and steeper and tighter tree skiing. Skiers can expect to average 10 to 12 runs per day and 1,000 feet in verticals. They could get up to 1,200 feet in verticals on snowier days.
Most of the drop offs are above the timberline at 12,000 feet. Skiers are treated to a 360 degree panoramic view on sunny days.
Traveling to Vail can be done by taking Interstate 70 directly to the town. I-70 runs east and west through Vail and is the only road in and out of the city. Vail is serviced by the Eagle County Airport in Gypsum. It can accommodate small aircraft as well as private and charter jets. The nearest international airport is in Denver, which is 97 miles away.
Vail for the most part is based on European ski towns and mostly car-free. People walk to get around town since it is mostly pedestrianized. The town has an extensive shuttle network that includes 10 hybrid electric buses, running from stop to stop every five minutes during the peak tourist season. During the off-season, buses run every 15 minutes, with each stop having a GPS system that tracks buses on their routes.
FULL DAY (Pre-Determined by Weather Conditions)
Includes lunch served in a yurt.
$500+PRIVATE SNOWCAT (Holds 10 people)
Includes lunch served in a yurt.
$5,000+
HOW TO GET TO VAIL
| Closest Airport | ||
|---|---|---|
| Airport Name | Airport Code | Miles to Region |
| Eagle County Regional Airport | EGE | 35 mi |
| Denver International Airport | DIA | 121 mi |
| Distance From | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | City | State | Code | Miles | Time | Stops |
| Los Angeles International Airport | Los Angeles | CA | LAX | 903 | 2h 22m | Direct |
| O'Hare International Airport | Chicago | IL | ORD | 1125 | 2h 50m | Direct |
| John F. Kennedy International Airport | New York | NY | JFK | 1925 | 4h 39m | Direct |
| San Francisco International Airport | San Francisco | CA | SFO | 1140 | 4h 59m | 1 |
| Seattle–Tacoma International Airport | Seattle/Tacoma | WA | SEA | 939 | 5h 52m | 1 |
| Newark Liberty International Airport | New York/Newark/New Jersey | NJ | EWR | 1901 | 7h 21m | 1 |
| Logan International Airport | Boston | MA | BOS | 2099 | 7h 51 | 1 |
| Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport | Minneapolis/St. Paul | MN | MSP | 1039 | 5h 33m | 1 |
| Philadelphia International Airport | Philadelphia | PA | PHL | 1871 | 7h 21m | 1 |
| LaGuardia Airport | New York | NY | LGA | 1915 | 4h 55m | Direct |
| Washington Dulles International Airport | Washington, D.C. | VA | IAD | 1789 | 7h 47m | 1 |
| San Diego International Airport | San Diego | CA | SAN | 951 | 4h 4m | 1 |
| Midway International Airport | Chicago | IL | MDW | 1132 | 6h 27m | 1 |
| Portland International Airport | Portland | OR | PDX | 1156 | 5h 11m | 1 |
DESTINATION MAP
Vail Ski Resort
Main Vail, Vail, CO 81657, USA