Skiing · · Peak Oxygen, Vail
Ask anyone what makes Vail special and they will probably mention the Back Bowls. Behind the front side of the mountain, the one you see from Vail Village and Lionshead, the terrain opens into a series of huge, wide bowls. Beyond them sits Blue Sky Basin, a quieter area of gladed runs and long views. Together they are some of the best-known skiing in North America, and they deserve a day of their own on your Vail trip.
What the Back Bowls are like
The Back Bowls stretch for miles along the south side of Vail Mountain. Their names hint at the feel: Sun Down, Sun Up, Tea Cup, China, Siberia and the Mongolia bowls further east. They are wide-open and mostly ungroomed, so after a storm they hold deep snow, and on sunny days they turn into a vast playground of bumps and soft turns.
Most of the terrain is best suited to strong intermediate and advanced skiers. A few groomed routes give confident intermediates a way to see the bowls, so check the daily grooming report the evening before. If you are newer to skiing, the front side has plenty of great terrain, and the bowls can wait for a future trip.
What makes Blue Sky Basin different
Blue Sky Basin feels like a separate ski area tucked behind the bowls. Instead of open slopes, it is known for glades, natural features and runs that wind through the trees, with views across to the Gore Range and beyond. It tends to be quieter than the front side, and its on-mountain picnic spot makes a memorable lunch stop on a sunny day.
Because it is the farthest part of the mountain from the villages, Blue Sky Basin takes time to reach and time to leave. Plan your day around that.
How to plan your day
- Start early. Getting from the village to the bowls takes a couple of lift rides. An early start gives you the best snow and avoids rushing later.
- Watch the time. Know which lifts bring you back toward the front side and when they close. Leave Blue Sky Basin well before the end of the day.
- Pick a meeting point. Cell service can be patchy and the terrain is huge. Agree on a lodge or lift to regroup at if your group splits up.
- Ski with a map. The trail map and the resort app help you avoid ending up at the wrong lift or the wrong side of a bowl.
Dress for sun and wind
The Back Bowls face south and catch a lot of sun, while ridgelines and lifts can be windy. Layers let you adjust through the day. Sunscreen, lip balm and good goggles are essential at this elevation, even on cloudy days, because the sun reflects off the snow.
Pace yourself at altitude
Vail Village sits at about 8,150 feet, and the bowls are much higher. A long day of open-bowl skiing is hard work, and visitors from lower elevations often feel it in their legs and breathing. Save the bowls for your second or third day, after an easier warm-up day on the front side. Drink water throughout the day, take breaks at the lodges and stop before you are exhausted, since many falls happen on the last run of a long day.
Talk to a doctor about any medical questions before your trip, especially if you have a condition affected by altitude.
End the day with an easy evening
After a big day in the bowls, a quiet evening in Vail Village or Lionshead is the perfect finish. Some guests like to have oxygen waiting at their lodging for the end of the day. Peak Oxygen delivers in-home and portable oxygen concentrators across Vail for recreational use at altitude. No prescription is needed, and deliveries do not require you to be present. See our FAQ or call (970) 368-9190.
