Freeride Lines for Powderhounds at Vail Mountain

Hunt for powder even days after a storm on these hidden off-piste runs.

Jesse Weber

Images

vail-skiing-freeride_Jack-Affleck.jpg
Freeride skiing at Vail

by Jack Affleck

Creative Commons: No Derivatives

Description

Vail can be a dream for powder skiing and riding, with storms hitting frequently from late December through early April. On the morning of a powder day, you can’t go wrong skiing anywhere on the mountain, really. Just hit the main lifts early and get to the upper mountain or the Back Bowls as efficiently as you can.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that your trip to Vail will line up with a storm, and even if it does, most runs get skied out by the crowds just hours after opening. Luckily, this huge mountain has a lot of hidden spots that are slower to get tracked. You can still find powder turns days after a storm if you know where to look, and these hard-to-reach freeride lines are great places to start.

Adventures

Minturn Mile

One of the most famous off-piste routes at the resort.

Faro Glade

A short tree shot and a great warmup on a powder day en route to the bowls.

Over-Hard

Short tree shot down to Mid Vail area.

Eastwood

Solid treeline that holds snow for weeks after a storm.

Wow Woods

Huge treeline with plenty of options.

Divide and Conquor

This isn't much of a secret, but it can be really good, and the huge amount of terrain can stay good pretty long into a powder day.