Vail Visitor Information

Vail’s pedestrian villages are part of what makes a stay here so enjoyable. A day on the slopes or a summer hike can lead into lunch beside Gore Creek, a stroll through the shops or an evening out in Lionshead. There’s plenty to explore beyond the mountain, and a little local advice can help you decide how to spend your time.

At Blue Sky Limo, we’ve been bringing guests to Vail since 2012. We’ve put together this Vail visitor information guide to help you settle in and make the most of your stay, with practical advice on finding your way around, useful maps and apps, and where to get help when you need it.

Where Are Vail’s Welcome Centers?

Vail’s two official Welcome Centers are on Level 4 of the Vail Village Parking Structure and Level 1 of the Lionshead Parking Structure. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year-round. Visit whichever is nearer for maps, local recommendations and directions; both also have public restrooms and seating.

You can also email welcome@vail.gov before arriving. The Town of Vail’s Welcome Center page lists the current locations and contacts.

The staff can be particularly helpful when you have a free afternoon but no firm plan. Tell them how much time you have, whether you are walking or taking the bus, and who is coming with you. A family with a stroller and an hour before dinner needs a different suggestion from a couple looking for a longer outing. Ask about what is open during your actual visit, especially between the main ski and summer seasons.

Useful Apps and Resources for Visiting Vail

Checking which lifts are running and finding a bus back to your hotel call for different tools. My Epic covers your ski pass and mountain information, while RideVail helps you find your next town bus. Set up your pass before you leave home and save the bus map on your phone, so both are ready when you need them.

For plans beyond the mountain, check the Vail events calendar. If you are driving into the valley, COtrip provides current Colorado road conditions.

Understanding Vail Village, Lionshead and Golden Peak

Your hotel, ski lesson, and dinner reservation may be in different parts of Vail. These three central areas are close enough to share one stay, but each offers a different place to start the day. From west to east, they are Lionshead, Vail Village, and Golden Peak. The two town Welcome Centers are in parking structures on the highway side of the villages, separate from the mountain’s ticket offices and ski-school meeting points.

Select the illustration to enlarge it. This village-orientation map is not to scale; use the official map below for streets, buildings and detailed walking directions.

Official map · Discover Vail

Vail Village Map: View or Download

Open the detailed village map to locate streets, buildings and landmarks, or save a copy for your visit.

Open PDFDownload Map

View the official map on this page

For a larger view or printing, open the PDF in a new tab.

Map courtesy of Discover Vail. This is the PDF linked from its map page on October 28, 2026, with its original artwork and attribution retained. Visit Discover Vail’s official map page for its interactive map and latest printable version.

Walking paths and the free in-town bus connect the villages. Discover Vail describes the walk between Lionshead and Vail Village as about 10–15 minutes, although your exact starting point, footwear, and party’s pace will affect that. It can be a pleasant way to explore when you have time; carrying ski gear or keeping tired children moving is a different proposition. Check current town bus routes and arrivals to see when a ride would suit your group best.

For a wider look at walking, buses and whether a rental car would help with your plans, see getting around Vail. If you are driving in, check Vail’s parking options and current rates before choosing a garage or an outlying lot.

Where Can You Store Luggage in Vail Before Check-In?

If you arrive in Vail before your room is ready, you’ll need somewhere to leave your suitcases before heading out for lunch or a walk through the village. Your hotel or vacation-rental manager is the best place to ask first. Some accommodations can hold bags before check-in, but confirm where to leave them and when someone will be available before you travel.

For a vacation rental, the check-in office may be separate from the property itself. When arranging your airport pickup with Blue Sky Limo, let us know where you have agreed to leave your bags so we can plan the correct arrival destination. Lionshead’s day-use lockers are another option for smaller belongings, but check their dimensions before relying on them for suitcases or ski bags.

Storage option	What to confirm
Your hotel or rental manager	Whether they will hold your bags, where to leave them and when you can collect them. Rental check-in may be at a separate office.
Lionshead Welcome Center day lockers	Locker dimensions, availability and current terms. Do not assume that checked luggage or ski bags will fit.
Vail Mountain	Its published guidance says it does not offer luggage storage, so make another arrangement for suitcases.

Does Vail Have a Lost and Found?

Vail’s lost-and-found services include Vail Police for items lost in town: (970) 479-2210, Vail Resorts for items lost on Vail Mountain: (970) 754-3059, and Town of Vail Transportation for items left on town buses: (970) 479-2178. Choose the contact for where you lost the item; belongings left in a hotel, restaurant or shop should also be reported directly to that business.

Have a clear description ready, along with when and where you last saw the item. For a bus journey, the route, direction and approximate time can help identify the trip. Confirm where an item is being held before going to collect it.

Is Vail Accessible for Wheelchair Users?

Vail has wheelchair-accessible transportation options: the Town of Vail’s free buses are lift-equipped, and Vail Mountain identifies Gondola One and Eagle Bahn as wheelchair accessible. Before your visit, confirm the step-free route from your accommodation to the bus stop or gondola base, any equipment requirements and current gondola operations with the relevant staff.

Questions About Visiting Vail

Are the Vail Welcome Centers open in summer and winter?

Yes. Both centers publish daily hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m., year-round. Those are the visitor desks’ hours; ski lifts, ticket offices and other resort facilities follow their own operating calendars.

What can I do in Vail besides ski?

You can explore the pedestrian villages, visit shops and galleries, enjoy a meal or stop at the Colorado Snowsports Museum. For an outing suited to your dates and group, ask the Welcome Center about current events and seasonal activities. If you want to go up the mountain without skiing, check Vail Mountain’s sightseeing information and operating dates before making that your plan.

Where can I get a printed Vail map?

Both Welcome Centers stock paper maps. You can also download the official village map before arriving. It is useful for finding buildings, village landmarks and local connections; use Vail Mountain’s own maps for lifts and ski terrain.

Start Your Vail Visit with a Comfortable Airport Transfer

Once you have chosen your accommodation, we can take care of the journey there. Blue Sky Limo provides private transfers from Denver Airport to Vail and Eagle Airport to Vail, with your flight tracked and a vehicle reserved for your party. Our driver helps with your luggage and ski equipment and takes you to your hotel or vacation rental.

Tell us where you are staying, how many people are traveling and what bags you are bringing. If you are still comparing properties, explore Vail hotel locations and arrival details to help plan your stay. We can arrange your return airport transfer too, leaving you to enjoy the village, the mountain and the rest of your stay.

Book Your Private Transfer · Call (970) 376-7849