With over 100 inches of annual snowfall and epic powder, chances are your visit to Vail or Beaver Creek will include a powder day. Let us give you the insider's scoop on secret stashes....shhh..it's a secret.
VAIL MOUNTAIN POWDER STASHES
Highline - On a powder day, there are a few good reasons to head directly to Chair 10 (Highline Express Lift)—the first being that you can typically avoid the out-of-the-maze Gondola One lift line if your goal is to be among the first to make it back to Blue Sky Basin. But after a few laps, you may opt to forgo Blue Sky altogether; mogul field Highline is actually pretty heavenly (and easier on the knees) when it’s coated in a foot of snow—just be ready for plenty of hoots and hollers coming from the lift line above you—and neighboring run Blue Ox provides some steep, un-treed turns while you’re contemplating your next moves (just check the grooming report, as Blue Ox is sometimes groomed).
Snag Park - This is a true secret that locals don't give out to just anyone- Snag Park. A steep, gladed powder stash that’s often ignored by intermediate skiers content with lapping Northwoods, and a great place to warm up your ski legs on your secret stash quest.
Riva Ridge - Everyone knows about it this not-so-secret stash (it’s the longest run on Vail Mountain), but don't count it out on a powder day. When everyone else is flocking to the Back Bowls, you may have the run to yourself, a magical powder experience. Tree skiing fanatics should duck into Riva Glade, a thick grove filled with pines and steeps between Riva Ridge and Christmas.
It goes without saying you should head to Vail's legendary bowls on a powder day:
China Bowl, Teacup Bowl (a fun shortcut to Skyline Express Lift to Blue Sky Basin), and Sun Down Bowl.
Every skier and snowboarder on Vail Mountain knows High Noon Express Lift - with the hopes of first tracks from the top of the bowl, face shots and fluff to your waist. Go early, beacuase its not a secret anymore!
Blue Sky Basin - It takes time to get there, but on a powder day you won’t be disappointed.
BEAVER CREEK POWDER STASHES
As a family-friendly resort known for its fantastic easy groomers...on a powder day, Beaver Creek provides plenty of snow and steeps, with a pleasant break from the crowds.
Stone Creek Chutes - experts only will love the chutes when there's ample snow - so grab your fat skis and find some white stuff.
Larkspur Bowl - While Beaver Creek grooms the powder out of its two shallow bowls to make way for intermediate skiers, a 3-pack of quick and dirty short bump runs on Larkspur Bowl’s east side will keep powder hounds happy: try Loco, Shooting Star, and Lupine..
Grouse Mountain - Known for its black runs, Royal Elk Glade and Black Bear Glade on the resort’s western boundary are some of Beaver Creek's thickest trees and deepest snow. You'll have to traverse back to the lift down a long cat track afterwards, but it's so, so worth it!
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