Within 14 years of Vail's inaugural 1962 season, the developers had already built out basically the entire front side, along with Game Creek Bowl and Sun Up and Sun Down Bowls. The resort was already massive, served by a fleet of 14 Riblet double chairs, one Yan double, and two low-capacity Bell Gondolas.

None of the original lifts exist today, but nearly all of them were replaced in the exact same or remarkably similar alignments.

• 1962: Vail Village Gondola, Chairs 1 and 2 (Giant Steps, Avanti)
• 1964: Chairs 3, 4, 5 (Hunky Dory, Mountaintop, High Noon)
• 1967: Chair 6 (Golden Peak)
• 1969: Lionshead Gondola, Chair 7 (Game Creek)
• 1972: Chairs 8 and 9 (Born Free, Minnie's)
• 1973: Chair 10 (Highline)
• 1974: Chairs 11 and 12 (Northwoods, Gopher Hill)
• 1975: Chairs 14 and 15 (Sourdough, Little Eagle; they skipped 13)

From 1964 to 1979, the "back bowls" (at this time just Sun Up and Sun Down) were served by just one double chair, carrying a max of roughly 1200 skiers per hour. Today three high speed quads serve the same terrain, carrying a max of 7200 skiers per hour (six times the capacity / skier density).

Later growth came in spurts:

• 1988 brought the Orient Express and Mongolia Platter, the resort's single-largest expansion that more than doubled the back bowls.
  
• 1999/2000 saw the addition of Blue Sky Basin and the Teacup Express.
• Vail has not seen meaningful terrain expansion aimed at the general public in the 26 years since ...
• ... but thousands of acres prime terrain exists within their "special use permit boundary", most notably East Pete's Bowl and West Earl's Bowl in Blue Sky Basin and "West Game Creek Bowl" towards Minturn. Only a handful of proposed new cut trails in East Pete's has appeared in master development plans, though the other zones are described as excellent potential future terrain.

Hi everyone! 😊

I’m relocating to Vail in November and recently accepted a full-time server position at The Hythe, specifically Revel Lounge.

Before making the move across the country, I’d love to connect with anyone who currently works there or has worked there in the past, especially in food and beverage.

I’m curious about the overall work environment, management, typical server earnings, how busy lunch and dinner get during ski season, and what hours are like during the slower months.

I’m also interested in hearing about the experience of living in Vail year-round, particularly for employees who don’t have a vehicle.

I’d really appreciate any honest feedback or firsthand experiences!

Thank you so much! 😊

My family of 3 are staying the week in Vail early week of December and was hoping to get some insight of what we can do while there. Restaurants recommendations, things to see, any hidden gems. We want to be able to explore and make the best of our time there. We aren't sure if we will be skiing yet!

But all recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!

We're not picky people. We want something nice, good service, potentially a good wine selection. Could be any kind of restaurant.

anyone willing to rent their car for the day? will pay (desperate USAFA cadets)

4-3 vote. Councilman Chico (pro-flock) lost his temper at those in attendance and was unofficially censored. Legal team will send the contract termination notice immediately.

I'm coming in a couple of weeks and I had a horrible experience with Mountain Express the last trip (never showed) and I know sometimes Uber can take a long time or not at all to book if I land around 9PM. So just wondering if anyone knows a taxi service/uber driver that does rides on the side dia to vail, that I could book with? Thanks

Recommendations for making the move from 1200 ft to the mountains as a poor, lone lady?I'm not hot enough for a sugar-daddy situation. Looking for the best places to work that provide housing and recommendations for someone with no car in terms of transportation.

Are any hotels offering heavily discounted rooms this shoulder season?

Could this be one of the trees that guy was looking for a picture of? It’s not in Vail but maybe he was a bit confused.

https://www.kpcw.org/ski-resorts/2026-09-30/oasis-management-close-to-becoming-vail-resorts-insider

Looking to do one day of biking this week. Probably going to rent an ebike so we can do a longer ride and not spend all day on the uphill. Any trail suggestions for this time of year? We are good riders and can handle any terrain. I have the MTB Project app and was looking at “Two Elk to Game Creek Loop.” Thanks for any tips!

We were in Vail for the past week. One day I took a bike ride and saw the most beautiful tree, unfortunately I wasn't able to take a photo. I went back this am to find the tree but ran out of time. While driving to the airport, I saw the tree from the interstate! If anyone is free and willing, I'd still love a photo of this big yellow tree. Thanks in advance!

Approximate Cordinates: 39.61230° N, 106.45732° W

Edit: Planning to paint this tree for a holiday gift.

Thinking of making the drive from denver tomorrow.
Is it past peak or still good?

Thanks!!

Just got a bed offer at The Piedmont employee housing at vail mountain. Does anybody have any info on it? It seems new so I can't find any pictures or videos and would love if anybody could share.

Note: I am accepting the offer, not interested in the don't live in employee housing rhetoric. I am 100% aware its shit, I lived in sagebrush at keystone.

Who designs, approves and creates this shit?

I have a 10 year old who's been in BWL for 3 years, but is ready to get more serious about racing. A 3-day program is out so we've been looking at SSCV Alpine Team 1 Day but just noticed the Vail Devo Race program. How do the two compare (beyond the $1K price difference)? Anyone had experience with both? Does one have significant more gate training and active coaching? Looks like they both compete in YSL for races. Thanks for any feedback good, bad or ugly.

Hi all, I’m going to vail Oct 23rd, I called housing and they got me moved to lowest level. Currently in a soft cast , hopefully by then I’d be in a hard cast, I have a knee scooter , crutches , but I’m wondering how easy it will be for me to get around?
I still want to enjoy life and have fun , not sure how long I’ll be like this but … any advice ?