Late spring · Weather & things to do
Vail in May
Vail warms up: highs climb to 58°F (15°C), from 46°F in April, with lows of 33°F (1°C) and about 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain.
It scores 77/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 58°F (15°C)
- Avg low
- 33°F (1°C)
- Rain
- 2.1 in (54 mm)
- Humidity
- 66%
- Cloud cover
- 64%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 11 min
- Comfort score
- 77/100 · Great
What May feels like
Days are mild at around 58°F (15°C): comfortable for walking all day, with a layer for the evening.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 14°C (25°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
About 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain falls in a typical year's May.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (June – September).
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, March – May.
- Comfort improves from 55/100 in April to 77/100.
- Our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route recommends Dec – Mar, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 33°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Vail in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Lionshead Village
Vail's second base village, west of Vail Village, with the Eagle Bahn Gondola, shops and an outdoor ice rink.
Vail Ski Resort
One of North America's largest ski areas, with groomed front-side runs, the open Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin.
Why now May scores 77/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Bridge Street
Vail Village's pedestrian main street, running from the covered bridge over Gore Creek up to the lifts.
Why now Highs near 58°F and 2.1 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Sweet Basil
Vail Village restaurant on Gore Creek Drive, serving modern American food since 1977.
Nearby in May
- Breckenridge in May~20 mi · highs 53°F, 2.1 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Aspen in May~39 mi · highs 60°F, 1.7 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in May~60 mi · highs 54°F, 2.7 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Denver in May~73 mi · highs 75°F, 2.3 in rain · 9°C (17°F) warmer by day, about as wet
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 May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Vail?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 77/100 against a best of 95 in June – September. Expect highs of 58°F (15°C) and 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain. Our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route recommends Dec – Mar, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Vail in May?
Average highs are 58°F (15°C) and average lows 33°F (1°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Vail in May?
Not much: about 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 22.6 in (573 mm).
What should I pack for Vail in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 33°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Vail in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.