Big Sky vs Vail
Big Sky vs Vail compared side by side: 250 km vs 234 km of slopes, 36 vs 31 lifts, top elevation 3,403 m vs 3,527 m. See which resort suits you.
| Statistic |
 Big Sky
United States
|
Vail
United States
|
|---|---|---|
| Total slopes | 250 km ▲ | 234 km |
| Easy (blue) slopes | – | 47 km ▲ |
| Intermediate (red) slopes | – | 131 km ▲ |
| Expert (black) slopes | – | 56 km ▲ |
| Share of easy slopes | – | 20 % ▲ |
| Ski lifts | 36 ▲ | 31 |
| Snow parks | – | 3 ▲ |
| Base elevation | 2,073 m | 2,475 m ▲ |
| Top elevation | 3,403 m | 3,527 m ▲ |
| Vertical drop | 1,330 m ▲ | 1,052 m |
| Season | December – April | November – April |
| Ski area | Big Sky Resort | Vail |
| Known for | Modern lifts · Off-piste · Scenic views | Modern lifts · Snow-sure · Scenic views · Après-ski |
The verdict
- Big Sky is the bigger ski area with 250 km of slopes versus 234 km (a similar size).
- Vail goes higher: its top station is at 3,527 m compared with 3,403 m, which usually means more reliable snow late in the season.
- For beginners, Vail has the friendlier terrain mix with 20% easy slopes (47 km).
- Expert skiers get more black runs in Vail: 56 km of expert slopes.
- Big Sky has the larger lift network with 36 lifts.
Big Sky vs Vail: quick answers
Big Sky is bigger with 250 km of marked slopes, compared with 234 km.
Vail has the higher top station at 3,527 m versus 3,403 m.
Vail is the friendlier choice for beginners: 20% of its slopes are easy blue runs (47 km), versus 0% in Big Sky.