Early winter · Weather & things to do
Vail in December
Vail cools off: highs slip to 28°F (-2°C), from 39°F in November, with lows of 8°F (-13°C) and about 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 48/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Avg low
- 8°F (-13°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.9 in (48 mm)
- Humidity
- 90%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 13 min
- Comfort score
- 48/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 28°F (-2°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 8°F (-13°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 1.9 in (48 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 13 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 13 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 51/100 in November to 48/100.
- December sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 8°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Vail in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Vail Ski Resort
One of North America's largest ski areas, with groomed front-side runs, the open Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin.
Bridge Street
Vail Village's pedestrian main street, running from the covered bridge over Gore Creek up to the lifts.
Lionshead Village
Vail's second base village, west of Vail Village, with the Eagle Bahn Gondola, shops and an outdoor ice rink.
Sweet Basil
Vail Village restaurant on Gore Creek Drive, serving modern American food since 1977.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 28°F.
Nearby in December
- Breckenridge in December~20 mi · highs 23°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Aspen in December~39 mi · highs 30°F, 2.0 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in December~60 mi · highs 24°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Denver in December~73 mi · highs 44°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 9°C (16°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~3,234 m to Vail's ~2,522 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Vail in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Vail?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 48/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 28°F (-2°C) and 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow. December is inside the Dec – Mar window our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route recommends.
How cold is Vail in December?
Average highs are 28°F (-2°C) and average lows 8°F (-13°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Vail in December?
Not much: about 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 22.6 in (573 mm).
What should I pack for Vail in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 8°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in December
- Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen Dec – Mar
Planning Vail in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.