Vail's Blue Sky Basin

The Blue Sky Basin is like a ski area in a ski area. There's a different look to the terrain than the rest of Vail, and a real sense of being in the backcountry instead of part of one of world's biggest resorts.

As you would expect in Vail, Blue Sky Basin has a very modern lift system with three high-speed quad chairlifts but provides a more retro ski experience. Instead of boulevard-wide runs Blue Sky Basin features mostly glades and natural tree-free meadows. Most of the runs are general routes rather than specific, defined trails. Signage is directional, pointing to a destination rather than funneling people onto specific trails.

Skiers and snowboarders can stick to groomed sections, dance through the powder in the trees or mix and match. In fact, even the snowcat operators have been instructed to groom where it "feels" right. In that manner, every trip down Blue Sky's slopes can feel and look different.

If it is at all possible to get sick of Vail's huge back bowls, Blue Sky Basin offers skiers a snowboarders a wilder side of Vail.