Vail is a town in the Gore Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded in 1962, Vail is the largest ski area in the United States, second to Whistler Blackcomb in America. It is renowned for the Colorado Ski Museum and Colorado Ski Hall of Fame.

Enveloped by the White River National Forest, Vail is a year-round destination for winter sports. The base elevation of Vail Mountain is 8,120 feet, and the peak elevation is 11,570 feet. There are 5,289 skiable acres that feature chair lifts, a gondola, and high-speed quads. The longest run, Riva, is four miles long. Vail Mountain is divided into three segments: Front-Side, Blue Sky Basin, and the Back Bowls. Back Bowls is a challenging terrain and only expert skiers are advised to ski down this slope. Blue Sky Basin is ideal for average skiers. Front-Side, which is considered the easiest terrain, is recommended for beginners.

Vail is a concentration of trendy shops, restaurants, and nightlife, all within easy reach of the hotels and lodges. Although winter sports are the most popular aspect, no trip to Vail is complete without a visit to Alpine Gardens, considered to be the world's highest botanical garden (altitude: 8,200 feet). Alpine Gardens was founded in 1985, and features a magnificent waterfall. Another sightseeing attraction is hiking to Hanging Lake, which features waterfalls and a spouting rock.

Vail covers an area of 11.8 km. It can be accessed by flight (Eagle County Airport) or by road. Interstate 70 runs east-west through the centre of the town. It is the only thoroughfare to Vail; east of the town is Vail Pass; west is Eagle-Vail. Travellers are advised to arrive without a car, as parking rates are very high. The free shuttle bus system is convenient and estimated to be the largest in the United States.