How to Beat Vail's Liftlines

Your starting point, avoid the Gondola and hop on Chair 8, then scoot over to Chair 2. From the top of 2 drop into Game Creek Bowl via Faro, Ouzo or Ouzo Glades (fantastic tree skiing!). From the bottom of Game Creek Bowl, take Chair 7 to the top and enjoy a run in Sundown Bowl, where the options are limitless. Hit Chair 5 or 17 for another lap, and then start heading east, grabbing a fun run down The Slot or Milt’s Face, or alternatively, head around to the amazing tree skiing of Over Yonder, and then cut back to Chair 9.

Take Chair 9 to the top and enjoy Jade’s Glade or Genghis Kahn in China Bowl, or head south out the ridge and make some fun turns down Emperor’s Choice or Red Zinger in Teacup Bowl. Then take Chair 21 back up. From the top of 21, head out to Red Square, Rasputin’s Revenge or the poma lift in Mongolia Bowl.

Will likely be opening, which typically occurs between 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Head to the top of Blue Sky via the Skyline Express, Chair 37, enjoy a run through the glades of Cloud 9, and then hop onto Pete’s Express, Chair 39, where Hornsilver, The Star and Grand Review await. Or hang a right off the top and enjoy a run down In the Wuides or Champagne Glade, riding back up on Earl's Lift, Chair 38 (almost never a lift line here!).  From the top, ski one of my favorite areas on the mountain, Divide and Encore, which feature beautifully undulating terrain through quiet glades of evergreen, and end up with super fun bumps.

By now, you can frequently work your way back to Sun Up and Sun Down Bowls via the Teacup Express Lift, Chair 36, and enjoy another lap or two on Chair 5 (you’re now behind the crowds!) before your legs give out and you call it a day. A GREAT day!

Is your launching pad, make sure to be at the Gondola a half hour before opening, and enjoy the energy of the powder hounds who got there before you! Ride up to Mid-Vail, then make a beeline for Chair 3. From there, either grab one run in Game Creek Bowl of head straight to the Back Bowls, and then follow the directions above!

Take Chair 6 and then cut over to Chair 10. From the top of 10, grab a run down Blue Ox, Highline or Roger's. Then ride back up Chair 10 and drop down to Chair 14, and then head into China Bowl. You’ll be guaranteed to be ahead of most of the crowds! Take a run in Teacup or China Bowl, and then another. Watch for Blue Sky Basin to open, and then hop onto Chair 39.

While blasphemous to some, another insider secret for a fun powder day is to avoid the Bowls altogether, and hang out on the front side of the mountain! In particular, the runs around Chairs 8 and 26 are rarely busy, and offer long powder cruisers, great trees and plenty of moguls, if that’s your thing! This area is also typically wide open on cruiser days, even when Mid Vail, Game Creek Bowl and Northwoods are busy. Give it a try, and I’ll bet you find wide open runs and few lift lines!