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When to Go

Best Time to Visit Vail / Aspen

North America · Month-by-month weather, seasons and what to do — from Noura's Destination Finder.

Noura's timing tip: EGE's winter non-stops are seasonal and sell out early—book ski-season flights and lodging months ahead. Independence Pass (Hwy 82) between Vail and Aspen closes for snow roughly November–May.
Best months
Jan–Mar, Jul–Sep, Dec
Flights from the US
🟢 Non-stop options
Great for
families with kids · couples · adult group · multi-gen
Seasons at a glance
JanuaryFebruaryMarchJulyAugustSeptemberDecember AprilJuneNovember MayOctober

🟢 Peak season  ·  🟠 Shoulder  ·  ⚪ Off-peak

Vail / Aspen month by month

Average temperatures, sunshine and the feel of each month. Getting the timing right is half of a great trip.

MonthAvg °FSunRainSeasonWhat it's like
January 7–29°F 6h High Snow (38") Peak Deep midwinter powder and holiday-season glamour on Vail Mountain's legendary Back Bowls.
February 9–33°F 7h High Snow (34") Peak Coldest, driest champagne powder—prime ski weeks and X Games buzz down valley in Aspen.
March 14–42°F 7h High Snow (38") Peak Bluebird spring skiing: soft snow, strong sun and long lift days across the Rockies.
April 20–48°F 8h Moderate Snow (22") Shoulder Ski season's last powder days give way to quiet mud-season calm as lifts wind down.
May 28–58°F 9h Moderate (54mm) Off-Peak Sleepy shoulder month—lifts shut, trails still muddy and the valley catches its breath.
June 34–69°F 11h Low (29mm) Shoulder Wildflowers, rushing creeks and cool alpine air as summer festivals fire up.
July 43–76°F 10h Low (36mm) Peak Peak alpine summer—warm days, cool nights and Bravo! Vail concerts under the peaks.
August 41–73°F 10h Low (33mm) Peak Golden high-summer hiking and world-class music before the aspens start to turn.
September 35–65°F 9h Low (35mm) Peak Aspens blaze gold across the Gore Range—crisp, clear and the year's best scenery.
October 24–53°F 8h Low (48mm) Off-Peak Quiet off-season lull: first snow dusts the peaks while town slows before ski opening.
November 13–38°F 6h Moderate Snow (20") Shoulder Early-season snow guns fire up and the first lifts spin as ski fever returns.
December 7–28°F 5h High Snow (36") Peak Festive holiday sparkle, fresh snow and the full buzz of opening ski weeks.

Data cross-referenced from climate and flight sources; conditions vary year to year.

Things to do in Vail / Aspen, month by month

Hand-picked ideas for every month of the year — from Noura's Destination Finder.

JanuaryPeak7–29°F
  • Ski Vail's Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin
  • Carve groomers at Beaver Creek
  • Watch the X Games at Aspen Buttermilk (late Jan)
  • Snowshoe to Booth Falls
  • Après-ski along Vail Village's Bridge Street
FebruaryPeak9–33°F
  • Chase powder in Vail's Back Bowls
  • Ski Aspen Snowmass' four mountains
  • Nordic ski the Vail Nordic Center
  • Snowmobile the Gore Range backcountry
  • Soak up après-ski in Vail Village
MarchPeak14–42°F
  • Spring-ski Vail and Beaver Creek
  • Ski Aspen Highlands Bowl
  • Take a sleigh-ride dinner at Beano's Cabin
  • Snowshoe the Betty Ford trails
  • Sample Taste of Vail food-and-wine events
AprilShoulder20–48°F
  • Catch closing-week skiing on Vail Mountain
  • Ski spring corn at Arapahoe Basin nearby
  • Ride the last runs at Aspen Snowmass
  • Hike lower Gore Creek Trail as snow melts
  • Enjoy quiet-season lodging deals in Vail Village
MayOff-Peak28–58°F
  • Stroll Vail Village and Bridge Street
  • Visit the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens as it reopens
  • Hike snow-free lower trails along Gore Creek
  • Fly-fish the Eagle River
  • Browse Vail's spring restaurant deals
JuneShoulder34–69°F
  • Watch the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail
  • Hike the Booth Falls and Booth Lake trail
  • See wildflowers at Shrine Ridge
  • Bike the Vail Pass paved path
  • Ride the Eagle Bahn gondola to Epic Discovery
JulyPeak43–76°F
  • Attend Bravo! Vail classical concerts
  • Hike to Pitkin Lake or the Missouri Lakes
  • Visit the Maroon Bells near Aspen
  • Raft the Eagle River
  • Explore the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in bloom
AugustPeak41–73°F
  • Catch the Aspen Music Festival
  • Hike the Gore Range to Gore Lake
  • Ride high-alpine trails at Vail's Epic Discovery
  • Mountain-bike Vail's berm-filled trails
  • Wander the Sunday Vail Farmers' Market
SeptemberPeak35–65°F
  • Drive Independence Pass for peak aspen gold
  • Hike Booth Falls amid changing leaves
  • Ride the gondola for fall-color views
  • See the Maroon Bells at their most golden
  • Sip at the Vail Oktoberfest
OctoberOff-Peak24–53°F
  • Photograph late golden aspens along Gore Creek
  • Hike the quiet Berry Picker Trail
  • Enjoy off-season dining deals in Vail Village
  • Visit the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens before winter
  • Scenic-drive toward Trail Ridge Road before it closes
NovemberShoulder13–38°F
  • Ski opening weeks on Vail Mountain
  • Ride early lifts at Beaver Creek
  • Watch the Vail Snow Days concerts
  • Ice-skate at the Vail Square rink
  • Warm up with après-ski in Lionshead
DecemberPeak7–28°F
  • Ski fresh holiday powder in Vail's Back Bowls
  • Watch the Vail torchlight parade and fireworks
  • Ski Beaver Creek's family runs
  • Ice-skate at Vail Village's outdoor rink
  • Ring in the season on Bridge Street
Where to go in January Where to go in February Where to go in March Where to go in July

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