Blue Sky Basin
Blue Sky Basin is the most remote part of Vail. This area has some of the coolest terrain at the resort, including Lover’s Leap and trails like Steep & Deep. The photo below was taken from the top of the Sun Down Bowl. This shows Blue Sky Basin in the distance with the Sun Down Bowl in the foreground.
Terrain Info
Combo of steeps, cliffs & flat runouts in the trees. Lover’s Leap rules the day here.
Blue Sky Basin Stats
- Opened: 2006
- Vertical Drop: Approx 1,970'
Pete's Bowl
The panorama photo below was taken from the top of Lover’s Leap while looking east into Pete’s Bowl. This shows the steep pitch near the top which flattens out as you ski further into the bowl. You don’t want first tracks through the middle of Pete’s Bowl because tracking out of here is no fun in deep snow. First tracks are fun at the top, but if a few people have already gone down here, you will be able to follow their tracks through the flat area and save a ton of energy while getting to the bottom on a powder day.
Earl's Bowl
Earl’s Bowl has a mild pitch that intermediate skier’s will appreciate. You’ll see this is in stark contrast to Lover’s Leap which will be on the opposite side of you as you ride up the Skyline Express Lift.
Below: On the left, you can see the wide open area of In The Wuides. On the right, this trail used to be called the Montana Glade and is now renamed CJ’s Glade. This was re-named in 2020 after Chris Jarnot, a long-time Director of Operations here at Vail.
Lover's Leap
You won’t miss the Lover’s Leap cornice as you are riding up the Skyline Express Lift. The trail falls sharply off to the side right below the lift and this is a legendary spot at Vail. You can gather as much speed as you like and send it out there for the enjoyment of the crowds above here.
The photos above and below show the drop-off below the cornice at Lover’s Leap. There are no rules regarding how far you are allowed to launch yourself down this slope on a powder day. Let your own stupidity be your guide.
Belle's Camp
This is as far back as it goes. At the top of Blue Sky Basin you will find this lone outpost. There is a small shelter here with an outdoor grill and wonderful view. The shelter was rebuilt a few years ago, but the amenities back here are still sparse.
The views of the Mosquito Range and the Sawatch Range from Belle’s Camp are amazing!
The View from Belle's Camp
Above: the Mosquito range to the southeast of Vail.
Below: looking southwest from Belle’s Camp you can see Mount of the Holy Cross, Whitney Peak, and the Northern Sawatch Range.
The Road to Blue Sky Basin
The fastest way back to Blue Sky Basin will take you across the top of the Sun Up Bowl. You can see the Sleepy Time Road traverse in the photos below. This traverse heads across the top of the Sun Up Bowl, the lower portion of the Tea Cup Bowl, and out through the bottom of the China Bowl.
You don’t need to take the traverse. To can ski the Sun Up Bowl, take the Sun Up Express Lift, then ski down the China Bowl or Tea Cup Bowl to get to Blue Sky as well.
After you traverse across the Sun Up Bowl and follow the road out through the bottom of the China Bowl, you will find yourself winding around and across this bridge skier’s bridge shown below. This is located just below the Orient Express chairlift. The bottom of Blue Sky Basin is not far away.
Some Insider Knowledge About Blue Sky Basin
Blue Sky Basin is the last part of the mountain to open on powder days. You’ll find a significant line starting to build up here throughout the morning. Don’t rush to get back here.
Lower Pete’s Bowl is too flat for fresh powder. The first people to ski down Steep & Deep will usually wind up trekking out of here because the snow is too deep to move on the shallow pitch. If you can follow in someone else’s tracks it will make this run much more pleasureful for you, so don’t rush for first tracks in Pete’s Bowl. However, fresh tracks down Steep & Deep can be worth the trek.
Visitors should never travel outside of the ski area boundary gates. You’ll find a set of gates to the skier’s right after you get off of Pete’s Express Lift as well as in other spots. You should never travel here without someone local who knows where they are going. You’ll need the proper backcountry gear, training and knowledge. Even with that, we don’t recommend that you go outside of the gates.