Parking Tips for Vail Skiers
Winter
Parking in Vail this winter is easy and more convenient then ever with a variety of close-in and short-term parking options. Use these tips to find the parking that's right for you:
Park Close All Day for $25 in Vail Village and LionsHead Structures
Approximately 2,500 close-in parking spaces are available at Vail's two parking garages. The parking spaces, 1,800 of them covered, allow skiers and snowboarders quick and easy access to Vail Mountain via the Vista Bahn ski lift in Vail Village, Eagle Bahn Gondola in LionsHead or Riva Bahn ski lift at Golden Peak. The $25 all day rate is good seven days a week for a 24-hour time period, which begins when entering the structure. Cash and credit cards (Visa/ MasterCard) are accepted.
Use the Metered Parking for Short-term Parking
Pre-paid metered parking is also available in the two structures. These spaces are easy to find and are perfect for short-term parking. The metered parking spaces are located on the top deck of the Vail Village parking structure and on the second level of the LionsHead parking structure. The pre-paid system accepts credit cards and cash and allows users to enter and exit the parking structures with ease. Be sure to display your receipt on the driver's side dashboard of your vehicle. Available seven days a week.
Frontage Road Parking Availability
The Frontage Road will be used as overflow parking when all other lots are filled. Please refer to the variable message signs located at the main Vail off ramps (exit 176) to make sure the overflow parking option is legally available upon your arrival. Hosts at the parking garages will be on hand to advise you about available parking options. Once the Frontage Road has been released for overflow use, park on the I-70 (north) side of the roadway, leaving as much shoulder area as possible for your safety; avoid blocking driveways; and leave plenty of space, as much as 50 feet, at intersections. Perimeters on the Frontage Road which prohibit parking will be clearly marked. During overflow situations, this parking is free and available until 11 p.m.
Free Outlying Parking - 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
All areas listed below are serviced by the existing Town of Vail transportation system. Bus frequency varies from 15 minutes during peak times to 1 hour during non-peak times.
- Red Sandstone Park, 15 spaces. Available 7 days a week.
- Stephens Park, 15 spaces. Available 7 days a week.
- East Vail Interchange Trailhead, 12 spaces. Available 7 days a week.
- Spraddle Creek Trailhead, 10 spaces. Available 7 days a week.
- North Trail Trailhead, 6 spaces. Available 7 days a week.
- North Frontage Road in West Vail, 180 spaces. Available Fri, Sat and Sun.
For directions, call (970) 479-2104.
Donovan Park - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Free parking is available at Vail’s Donovan Park from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on days when the Donovan Pavilion is not in use. The 70-plus space upper lot, located at 1600 South Frontage Rd., is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. A sign will be posted at the entrance to the park indicating availability, which varies from day to day, depending on the scheduled use of the pavilion. The parking area is serviced by the Matterhorn bus stop, which is located west of the park at the intersection of Matterhorn Circle and West Gore Creek Drive. The West Vail Red transit line services this bus stop to the LionsHead base area with service on the hour and half hour.
Convert Your Day-Trip to an Overnight Stay
Keep an eye on the weather while you're here and consider staying overnight if driving conditions are unsafe. Many of Vail's lodges offer discounted rates during Vail pass closures along I-70. To keep track of local road conditions, call (970) 479-2226. For statewide road conditions, call toll free 1-877-315-7623. Also, watch Channel 10, town-sponsored cable television, which features real time traffic and weather conditions using live video footage from cameras positioned along the I-70 corridor.
Arrive the Night Before and Avoid I-70 Traffic Delays
For a more enjoyable trip, book an overnight stay in Vail and leave the in-town driving to Vail, home of the nation's largest free transit system. Discounted lodging is available at www.vailonsale.com.
