Skiing Vail’s Back Bowls

There’s no comparison when it comes to skiing Vail’s famous Back Bowls. The Amount of skiable terrain is baffling and sometimes can be intimidating for someone unfamiliar with them. From step and deep to flat and groomed the back bowls can satisfy any skiers needs. The ten Back Bowls in Vail make up a large chunk of the 5,289 skiable acres in the resort.

What You Should Know About the Vail Back Bowls

Unlike some larger resorts, the terrain in Vail is very open and easy to navigate. There are no Peak to Peak transfers needed to get to new areas. When you ski vail you are never further than 30 minutes away from most points on the mountain. In the Bowls you can find anything from bumps, glades, cliffs, powder, groomers, and more. If you are an intermediate skier Game Creek Bowl and Blue sky Basin offer a fair amount of terrain that will make for an incredible day. Be sure to check out Lost Boy for a nice introduction to back bowl skiing. While in Blue Sky Basin try out Cloud 9 and Big Rock Park. They offer wide runs in the trees and make you feel like you left vail and traveled to another ski resort. Once you get your feet under you, you’ll be ready to try some more advanced terrain in the back.

China bowl offer a plethora of terrain ranging from steep and deep to cliffs, glades, bumps, and groomer. If you looking for groomers, Poppy fields is a great run to get started out on. From there you can try your luck at the world famous dragon’s teeth cliffs. Don’t worry jumping off them isn’t mandatory. If you do feel like hucking your meat, the drops range from two feet all the way up to 25. Shangra-la is another favorite for those looking to try their hand at glade skiing. The run offers uninterrupted tree skiing from top to bottom and is a must on a powder day. After a long morning of shralping pow, ripping trees, hucking cliffs, and bombing groomers, you’ll be sure to work up an appetite.

The back bowls offer a variety of dinner options from outdoor grills to dining rooms. If you don’t feel like packing grillable, check out Two Elf. This large cafeteria style restaurant offer anything from Bison Chilli to homemade pizzas. The grills out at Blue Sky are a personal favorite of mine. I recommend bringing brats, steaks, fondue and a bag of wine. With that combo you’ll be sure to satisfy all you wining and dining needs.

Vail’s back bowl are some of the most unique terrain in the world of skiing. They offer it all and the views are unparalleled. You will truly understand why there is “no comparison” to anywhere else after skiing Vail’s bowls.