Most visitors reach the Vail Valley one of two ways: flying into Eagle County Regional Airport, about 30–35 miles west of Vail, or flying into Denver and traveling about 120 miles west on I-70. Once you are here, free town buses and the regional Core Transit network connect Vail, Avon, Beaver Creek and Edwards, so many visitors manage without a car. The two things that catch first-timers out are winter driving on I-70 and the altitude. Both are covered below.
On this page: Getting here · Driving I-70 · Getting around · Parking in Vail · Altitude · Weather · Safety and health · Useful links
Getting here
By air
| Airport | Distance to Vail | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) | About 30–35 miles (west, in Gypsum) | Closest airport. Most nonstop routes are seasonal, concentrated in winter; check the airport or your airline for current routes. |
| Denver International Airport (DEN) | About 119 miles (east, via I-70) | Many more flights year-round. Allow at least 2¼ hours by road in good conditions, and more in snow or weekend traffic. |
From EGE, the regional Core Transit Valley Route stops at the airport and runs east to Eagle, Edwards, Avon and Vail; trips to or from the airport require a fare, bought in the Core Transit app or at a Core Transit office (cash is not accepted on board). Riders 18 and under ride free through the 2026–27 winter season. Rental cars are available at the airport.
From DEN, licensed mountain shuttle companies pick up on Level 5 of the Jeppesen Terminal. Reservations are recommended; confirm your pickup door and the company’s Vail drop-off when you book. DEN’s mountain carrier page lists the companies.
By bus from Denver
Colorado’s state-run bus services do not stop at Denver International Airport. From the airport, take RTD’s A Line train to Denver Union Station, where these services start:
- Bustang West Line runs between Denver Union Station and Grand Junction, stopping at Vail (Vail Transportation Center), Avon (Avon Station) and Eagle (Chambers Park-n-Ride).
- Pegasus is a smaller van service between Denver and Avon, stopping in Vail. It uses the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes and does not run on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Book ahead at busy times. Fares and timetables change, so check the Bustang website before you travel.
By car
From Denver, take I-70 west. For Vail Village and Lionshead, use exit 176. The drive crosses the Eisenhower–Johnson Memorial Tunnel, at an average elevation of 11,112 feet, and Vail Pass, at more than 10,000 feet. Read the next section before driving in winter.
Driving I-70 in winter
Colorado’s Traction Law applies every year from September 1 to May 31 on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison, which covers the whole drive from Denver to Vail and beyond. Under the law, as updated in 2025:
- Tires must have at least 3/16-inch tread and be winter tires (mountain-snowflake symbol), all-weather rated tires or mud and snow (M+S) tires. This applies to four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles too. Otherwise you need chains or an approved alternative traction device, such as an AutoSock, on two or more drive tires.
- In severe storms CDOT can activate the Passenger Vehicle Chain Law, the last step before closing the road. Every vehicle then needs chains or an approved alternative traction device.
- If you are renting a car, check its tires against these rules when you pick it up.
Before you set off: check COtrip.org or the COtrip app, or call 511, for closures and chain-law status.
Avoiding the worst traffic: CDOT says westbound traffic is heaviest on Fridays from about 2 to 7 p.m., and eastbound on Sundays from about 3 to 6 p.m. Congestion can start before noon on busy weekends. Driving midweek or early, or staying an extra night, helps. The I-70 Mountain Express Lanes are toll lanes that open at peak times. Source: CDOT.
Construction: CDOT’s West Vail Pass project (mile markers 180–190) is scheduled for substantial completion by December 2026, so expect occasional lane restrictions on the pass until then.
In a storm: CDOT advises not driving at the height of a storm, carrying an emergency kit, slowing down and staying three to four car lengths behind snowplows. West of the valley, Glenwood Canyon can close after crashes or rockfall. CDOT’s detours for long closures add hours, and it warns against using mountain back roads as shortcuts.
Getting around the valley
| Service | Where it goes | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Vail buses | In-town shuttle between Vail Village, Golden Peak and Lionshead, plus routes to East Vail, West Vail and other neighborhoods. Live tracking at ride.vail.gov. | Free, year-round |
| Core Transit (formerly ECO Transit) | Valley Route from Dotsero and Gypsum (including EGE) through Eagle, Edwards and Avon to Vail. Other routes include Highway 6, Minturn, Leadville and the Vail–Beaver Creek Express. | Free, except rides to or from EGE, Gypsum and Leadville. No cash on board: pay in the app or at an office. |
| Avon and Beaver Creek shuttles | Avon runs free town buses, and Beaver Creek runs free shuttles from its parking lots to the village. | Free |
Town of Vail and Core Transit schedules change between summer and winter, usually around late November or early December and again in April. Check the timetable for your dates. Skis are allowed on Core Transit buses, and bikes go on the outside rack.
Parking in Vail
The two main public garages are the Vail Village Parking Structure (241 E. Meadow Dr.) and the Lionshead Parking Structure (395 S. Frontage Rd. W.). Both are a short walk from the lifts. The Town of Vail sets parking rules and rates each season, so treat the points below as a guide to how parking has worked recently, not as this season’s rules.
- In winter 2025–26, stays under an hour were free, and the daily maximum was higher on peak days than on regular days.
- In 2025–26, the Free After 3 rule made entry between 3 p.m. and 4 a.m. free.
- Overnight parking was paid in the structures, and the Ford Park and Soccer lots did not allow it.
- Summer 2026 rates were lower than winter rates.
Winter 2026–27 rules, rates and the peak-day calendar had not been published when this guide was checked. Before you park, check vail.gov/parking for the current season. If you are staying in Vail, ask your lodging about guest parking.
At Beaver Creek, check beavercreek.com for current lot rates; it runs free shuttles from its lots to the village and does not allow overnight parking in them.
Altitude
Vail sits at 8,150 feet, and Vail Mountain’s summit is 11,570 feet. Vail Health says almost one in four visitors gets symptoms of acute mountain sickness: headache, nausea, tiredness, poor sleep or loss of appetite.
- Drink plenty of water. Vail Health suggests six to eight glasses a day.
- Use caution with alcohol: it adds to dehydration and its effects are stronger at altitude.
- Keep the first day’s activity lighter, rest often and build up gradually.
- Confusion, chest pain or severe shortness of breath are not typical altitude symptoms and need immediate medical attention. Trouble breathing, coughing, a persistent headache with confusion or an unsteady walk also need a doctor right away. Call 911 or go to the emergency department.
Weather and what to pack
The Town of Vail describes summer days around 75°F with nights around 45°F, cold winters, and more than 335 inches of snow a year. Conditions change quickly with elevation, so pack layers in every season.
- Summer: afternoon thunderstorms with lightning are common from midsummer. Start hikes early, head down when storms build, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before heading back out (National Weather Service).
- Sun: UV is stronger at altitude, by roughly 8–10% for every 1,000 feet, so wear sunscreen and sunglasses year-round, including on the slopes.
- Backcountry: anyone leaving the ski area boundary should check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecast when planning and again before heading out. Forecasts are issued daily by 4:30 p.m. and updated when conditions change. CAIC also links to avalanche courses. Avalanches have killed more people in Colorado than any other natural hazard.
For this season’s outlook, see ECL’s Will Vail get a big snow winter?
Safety, health and wildlife
| Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Emergency | Call 911 |
| Hospital | Vail Health Hospital, 180 S. Frontage Rd. W., Vail. Emergency department open 24 hours: (970) 479-7225 |
| Vail Police (non-emergency) | (970) 479-2201 |
| Road conditions | COtrip.org or call 511 (not 911) |
- Bears are active from mid-March to early November. Keep trash indoors, never leave food where bears can reach it, and if you store food in a car, lock the doors and close the windows. If you meet a bear, stand still, stay calm, give it a clear path to leave, and never run or climb a tree (Colorado Parks and Wildlife).
- Moose can be aggressive. If a moose reacts to you, you are too close: back away. Keep dogs leashed, because moose react to dogs as they would to wolves. If a moose charges, run and put a large object such as a tree, boulder or car between you (CPW).
- Fire restrictions change through the summer. Check Eagle County’s current restrictions before any campfire or grilling outdoors.
- Cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over with ID. Using it in public is illegal, including on ski slopes on federal land, and hotels can ban it (State of Colorado).
Useful links
| For | Go to |
|---|---|
| Road conditions and closures | COtrip.org · 511 |
| Vail buses and parking | Town of Vail transportation · Parking |
| Valley buses | Core Transit |
| Denver to Vail by bus | Bustang |
| Eagle County airport | flyvail.com |
| Avalanche forecast | CAIC |
| Ski area hours and conditions | vail.com |
New to Vail? Start with the Vail guide and ECL’s first-time visitor’s guide to Vail Village.
Last checked October 9, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.
