What to expect, by the season

Vail and Beaver Creek are a year-round destination, whether you are here to ski deep winter powder or hike a summer 14er. Here is what to expect season by season, how to pack for the Rocky Mountains, and where to check conditions before you go.

Typical Temperatures °F

Month by Month

285
Jan
338
Feb
4016
Mar
4923
Apr
6031
May
7836
Jun
8342
Jul
8141
Aug
6634
Sep
5425
Oct
3715
Nov
277
Dec
● Winter cool● Summer warmBar = daily high to low

Typical Beaver Creek & Vail daily highs and lows in degrees Fahrenheit. Peak summer days now regularly reach the low 80s; mountain weather changes fast and varies with elevation, so treat these as a guide.

What to Pack

Dressing for the Rockies

Spring & Summer

Comfortable jeans, layers and a fleece handle cool mornings and warm afternoons. Sun is strong at altitude, so bring sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.

LayersFleeceSunglassesSunscreen

Mud Season

Spring and fall, affectionately called mud season, can turn rainy and wet. Pack an umbrella, waterproof booties and a water-resistant jacket.

UmbrellaWaterproof jacketBooties

Winter

Come equipped with real snow gear: an insulated jacket, snow pants, gloves, a hat, insulated boots and warm base layers, especially for time out in the snow.

Insulated jacketSnow pantsGloves & hatBase layers

Good to Know

Evenings stay cool even in summer thanks to the elevation, so a warm layer is worth having year-round. Daytime UV is intense, and hydration matters more than most visitors expect at altitude.

When to Visit

Season by Season

Spring

Spring skiing with t-shirts and sunglasses is a Rocky Mountain rite of passage, capped by Spring Back to Vail and the World Pond Skimming Championship.

Summer

Wildflowers, mountain biking, hiking, live music and farmers markets. Plan ahead with our Vail summer guide.

Fall

Golden aspens, Oktoberfest, smaller crowds and great lodging value. Watch our specials as the season approaches.

Winter

World-class skiing and snowboarding at two of the top resorts anywhere, plus spas, dining and holiday lights across the valley.

Before You Go

Weather Resources

  • National Weather Service forecastweather.gov
  • Colorado road & traction conditions (CDOT)cotrip.org
  • Vail Mountain snow & conditions reportvail.com
Mountain storms can roll in fast and turn severe, especially in winter, and conditions up on the mountain are often rougher than down in the village. Check the forecast the morning you travel, and again before heading up.

Any season is a good season

Whatever the forecast, we have a rental for it. Browse our full collection across Vail, Beaver Creek and the valley.

Find Your Rental