Whether you’re planning a vacation, here for a ski season, or relocating to the area, find out what others have come to realize. Year-round, Vail is a special place!

Vail is home to 5,305 permanent residents, plus another 5,000 part-time residents of vacation properties. Together, we share and value a lifestyle that combines one of the best alpine resorts in the world with a friendly, small-town feel. Not only do we enjoy our bountiful recreational and cultural opportunities that are available, we also take pride in a quality of life that provides alpine living at its best. From hiking in the summer to skiing in the winter, there’s always something to do in Vail. Visitors and residents alike enjoy the 1,100 acres of open space accounting for 50% of Vail’s town-owned land; 350,000 surrounding acres of national forest, crowned by 5,289 skiable acres on one of the largest and best ski mountains in the world; 17 miles of recreation paths; countless special events, the highest botanical gardens in the world and an outdoor amphitheater named for Vail’s most famous resident, President Gerald R. Ford.

Besides being one of the favorite ski destinations in the world, Vail is a community people love to live in. There are numerous employment opportunities, especially during the ski season when valley employers hire over 4,000 employees during peak season. Full-time professional opportunities also are available and many employers offer housing assistance programs, free transportation, parking programs, plus competitive wages and benefits.

Vail was founded as a ski resort in 1962, incorporated as a town in 1966 and became a Home Rule Charter in 1972. Vail has a council-manager form of government and is led by a 7-member town council elected-at-large. A $60.8 million net revenue annual budget provides essential services such as police and fire protection, plus additional amenities such as one of the largest free transportation systems in the country, which reduces pollution and traffic congestion year-round.

With world renowned skiing, diverse shops and restaurants, luxurious accommodations, friendly neighborhoods and breath-taking mountain views, Vail is arguably the finest resort destination in the world. See for yourself, Vail is a great place to live or visit.