Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Vail in January
This is the coldest month in Vail: highs average 28°F (-2°C) and lows 8°F (-13°C), with about 1.9 in (47 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 50/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Avg low
- 8°F (-13°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.9 in (47 mm)
- Humidity
- 92%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 30 min
- Comfort score
- 50/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Highs only reach about 28°F (-2°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 8°F (-13°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 1.9 in (47 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Only about 9 h 30 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are June – September.
- Comfort holds steady from December (48 → 50/100).
- January sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route recommends.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 8°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Vail in January
With highs near 28°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
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.
Colorado Snowsports Museum
Museum and hall of fame for Colorado skiing, including the 10th Mountain Division soldiers who later helped found Vail.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 28°F.
Lionshead Village
Vail's second base village, west of Vail Village, with the Eagle Bahn Gondola, shops and an outdoor ice rink.
Pepi's
Austrian restaurant and bar in the Gasthof Gramshammer, opened by ski racer Pepi Gramshammer in 1964.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in January
- Breckenridge in January~20 mi · highs 23°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Aspen in January~39 mi · highs 30°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in January~60 mi · highs 24°F, 1.3 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Denver in January~73 mi · highs 45°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 10°C (17°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 January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Vail?
It's middling, scoring 50/100. The best months are June – September, at up to 95. Expect highs of 28°F (-2°C) and 1.9 in (47 mm) of rain or snow. January is inside the Dec – Mar window our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route recommends.
How cold is Vail in January?
Average highs are 28°F (-2°C) and average lows 8°F (-13°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Vail in January?
Not much: about 1.9 in (47 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 6th-driest 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 January?
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 picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in January
- Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen Dec – Mar
Planning Vail in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.