Vail Mountain Parking & Resort Transportation Guide

Getting Here & Parking

Vail is located in the stunning central Rocky Mountains, 30 miles east of Eagle, Colorado, and just 100 miles west of Denver, Colorado.

First Time Visiting?

If you are new to Vail Mountain, it can seem daunting to find your way around.

See below for the basics of navigating Vail including

  • Where to park at Vail
  • How to access the lifts and mountain
  • Where to find your activities check-in location
  • Where to purchase or redeem your lift ticket, Epic Day Pass or Epic Pass
  • Parking options at Vail

Vail Village and Parking Locations

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Villages & Parking Guide

Reference the map above for specific Village and Parking locations

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Winter 2023 Holiday Time at Vail Village , opens in a new window

Vail Village
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If you've ever seen a picture of Vail, you've likely caught a glimpse of the iconic pedestrian village. Many of its buildings were originally built by Vail's founders in the early 60s with a nod to classic European alpine architecture.

Vail Village retains a peaceful, small-town ambiance even with its world-class restaurants, shopping, cafes and late night hot spots.

The dining scene is amazingly diverse and one of Vail's main attractions, with Matsuhisa Vail, Elway's, Larkspur, Sweet Basil and many more.

Vail Village is also home to some of the most famous boutique and luxury hotels, including The Lodge at Vail (Vail's original hotel), Hotel Gasthof Gramshammer (better known as Pepi's), The Sonnenalp, The Sebastian, Four Seasons Resort, Austria Haus and Tivoli Lodge.

Book Your Stay

Vail Village Parking

Mountain Access Via Gondola 1 Parking Options Vail Village Parking Garage
Time to Lift 7-minute Walk Ticket Office Location Yes
Summer Parking Rates

Daytime Parking: Free
Overnight Parking: $35

 Winter Parking Rates

Non Peak / Peak

0 – 1 hours: Free

1 – 2 hours: $5 / $10
2 – 3 hours: $10 / $20
3 – 4 hours: $20 / $30
4+ hours: $30 / $40

Entry after 3PM - 4AM: Free

Overnight Rate (4am - 5 am): $60
       
  
Directions to Parking

Address: 241 E Meadow Dr, Vail, CO 81657

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Lionshead Village
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The beautiful and friendly Lionshead village is completely closed off to cars and buses, offering a short walk to the Eagle Bahn gondola (Gondola 19), Chair 8 (Born Free Express), Lionshead Children's Ski School, the Arrabelle Square outdoor ice rink (with skate rental), and numerous shops and restaurants.

Originally built in the late 60s, Lionshead was recently renovated in Austrian-inspired style. Long-time favorite restaurants Bart & Yeti’s and Garfinkel’s (Garf's to locals) anchor the diverse culinary scene.

Also, the walk between Lionshead and Vail Village only takes 10-15 minutes, or there is a complimentary In-Town bus that runs regularly, all day long and well into the evening.

Lionshead lodging features hotels such as the Arrabelle at Vail Square, Antlers at Vail, the Ritz-Carlton, the Lodge at Lionshead and the Vail Marriott.

Book Your Stay

Lionshead Parking

Mountain Access Eagle Bahn Gondola
Born Free Express Lift (Winter Only)		 Parking Options Lionshead Parking Garage
Time to Lift 5-minute Walk Ticket Office Location Yes
Summer Parking Rates Daytime Parking: Free
Overnight Parking: $35
 Winter Parking Rates Non Peak / Peak

0 – 1 hours: Free

1 – 2 hours: $5 / $10
2 – 3 hours: $10 / $20
3 – 4 hours: $20 / $30
4+ hours: $30 / $40

Entry after 3PM - 4AM: Free

Overnight Rate (4am - 5 am): $60
  
Directions to Parking

Address: 395 S Frontage Rd W, Vail, CO 81657

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WINTER MOUNTAIN ACCESS ONLY

Golden Peak
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Just a 7-minute walk east of Vail Village, Golden Peak is the local's portal to the mountain, and strongly advised to avoid larger volumes at Vail Village and Lionshead Village.

The base is home to the Riva Bahn Express Lift (Chair 6) just below Northwoods (Chair 11—a favorite area for skiers and riders alike), the Golden Peak Ski School, and is the main access point to Vail's Golden Peak Terrain Park.

There are fewer properties in Golden Peak than in Vail Village, but great options nonetheless such as Manor Vail Lodge (directly across the street from the Golden Peak base area) and The Wren (which offers complimentary skier shuttle service).

Book Your Stay

Golden Peak Parking

Mountain Access Riva Bahn Express Lift Parking Options Vail Village Parking Garage
Time to Lift 7-minute Walk Ticket Office Location Winter Only

 

Directions to Parking

Address: 458 Vail Valley Dr, Vail, CO 81657

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Cascade Village
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The intimate Cascade Village is home to the Grand Hyatt and offers dining and mountain access from Cascade Lift (Chair 20). Cascade Village is also a wonderful base area access portal that offers bus access for guests arriving from West Vail.

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Cascade Village Parking

Mountain Access Chair 20 Parking Options Guests only, or via Bus Stop
Time to Lift N/A Ticket Office Location No

 

Directions to Parking

Address: 1250 Westhaven Cir, Vail, CO 81657

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Winter 2023 Holiday Time at Vail Village

Ancillary & Free Parking

As an additional option, the town offers free parking in satellite areas serviced by the town’s free transit system. The inventory includes the following locations available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.:

  • Frontage Road Parking - will be used as overflow parking only when all other lots are filled.
  • Gore Creek Trailhead
  • East Vail Interchange Trailhead
  • Pitkin Creek Trailhead
  • Booth Falls Trailhead
  • Spraddle Creek Trailhead
  • Red Sandstone Creek Trailhead
  • Buffehr Creek Trailhead
  • Davos Trailhead
  • 725 N. Frontage Rd.
  • North Frontage Road in West Vail, 

Learn More

 

Parking Updates

To view live parking updates, please visit the link below.

Live Parking Counts

 

Getting Here and Transportation

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Regular and reliable statewide service. Let’s hit the road.

Bustang
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Bustang provides interregional and intercity express bus service for the state of Colorado. Click to learn about schedules, routes, and maps.
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Serving Denver Union Station, Lakewood-Denver Federal Center, Idaho Springs, Frisco, Vail, and Avon

Pegasus
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Servicing the western slope of Colorado. Check bus schedules, fares, maps, and more. Click to learn more about the Bustang Pegasus service.
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Local bus stop at parking garage in Vail, CO.
Vail Village

Free Bus Services

Whether you are driving up for the day, or staying the duration at one of our many village properties, it's easy to get around. The Town of Vail Transit Department provides free, year-round and timely bus service that offers its residents and guests service to and from Vail Mountain and throughout town.

Leave your car at the parking garage or at your hotel and ride the bus.
Most FREE bus routes around the village begin as early as 6:30 AM and run through the day and into the early morning.

For more details on each route and timing, click below.

Live Bus Map View Bus Schedules

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Driving to Vail
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If you are driving to Vail whether from the East or West, prepare to be awed by the Rocky Mountains. I-70 snakes through the Rockies with sweeping mountain vistas, dense forests, river and railway views, wildlife spotting, and plenty of small town charms along the way. 

  • From Denver: 90 miles; 1.75 hours

Times can vary, depending on traffic & driving conditions.

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Vail Resort

Driving Tips

Vail is easily accessible by car and just seconds from Interstate 70.

Driving Directions from Denver

Vail is located 119 miles west of Denver International Airport (DEN) and 97 miles from downtown Denver. Travel west on I-70 from either location. Take exit 176 for Vail Village and Lionshead Village.

Driving Directions from Colorado Springs

Take I-25 North then take exit 194 to merge onto CO-470 West toward Grand Junction. Follow the signs for Grand Junction/I-70 West and merge onto I-70 West. Travel west on I-70 until taking exit 176 toward Vail Village.

Tips for I-70 Mountain Travel

  • Avoid peak travel times if possible. If you are heading eastbound on Saturday or Sunday, plan to leave the mountains after 7 p.m. to stay out of traffic. To be safe, check the weekend and holiday Travel Forecast.
  • Winter Driving Preparedness  
 

Colorado Highway Updates

Follow the Colorado Department of Transportation for all highway and pass related information and condition reports.

Visit CoTrip Website DOT Twitter Updates

Eagle County Regional Airport

Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)

Experience the convenience of nonstop or connecting flights from gateway airports across the U.S. Start your summer vacation the moment you arrive!

For more information and current flight schedules, visit FlyVail.com

Private Jet Service in EGE

If you're visiting Vail via private aircraft, the Vail Valley Jet Center can assist you with aircraft storage and services. The jet center also provides international customs clearance, catering services, flight planning assistance, aircraft maintenance and cleaning, and full concierge services.

For more information about the Vail Valley Jet Center visit VVJC.com or call 970.524.7700.

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EPIC MOUNTAIN EXPRESS
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Epic Mountain Express offers private airport shuttles and SUVs and frequently scheduled shared shuttle services to the Vail area from both Denver International and Eagle County/ Vail Airports. Professional drivers are trained for mountain driving, allowing you to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery.

Epic Pass holders save 20% on all Epic Mountain Express airport transfers with Epic Mountain Rewards. Simply enter your Epic Pass number at check-out when reserving your airport shuttle to Vail. If reserving by phone, mention you are an Epic Pass holder to receive 20% off.

For assistance and availability, call 970-754-7433 or visit epicmountainexpress.com.
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Flight & Transit Services

Your mountain getaway is a hassle-free trip away, no matter where you’re visiting from. Arrive by car for a quick getaway from the Front Range, or fly into one of two nearby airports and find that shuttles, private car services, and rental car options are readily available for your convenience. Vail is just 30 miles away from Eagle County Airport (EGE) and 100 miles from Denver International Airport (DEN).

Learn more about air travel and shuttle services below.

Ready to hit the slopes? Here's what next.

Useful Resources

Ready to hit the slopes? Here's what next.

Operating Hours

Current operating hours of Vail Mountain

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Trail Maps

Winter and Summer trail maps

Learn More

Ski & Snowboard School Locations

Vail has three base area check-in locations for lessons.

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On Mountain Dining

Details about our On Mountain Dining Options

Learn More

Village Dining

View a curated list of all the village dining options

Learn More

Lift & Terrain Status

Terrain, Trail and Lift information

Learn More
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