When to go · Vail
Vail in May
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Oct–Nov (mud season, lifts and many businesses closed).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) / 1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 9
- Crowds
- Medium
- United States overall
- Prices
- Medium
- United States overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Oct–Nov (mud season, lifts and many businesses closed).
Is another month better than May?
May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Vail's best window: Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hike, bike, raft).
- JulyGreatInside Vail's best window: Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hike, bike, raft).
- AugustGreatInside Vail's best window: Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hike, bike, raft).
- SeptemberGreatInside Vail's best window: Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hike, bike, raft).
Weather in May
- VailHighs around 16 °C (61 °F), lows around 1 °C (34 °F), rain on about 9 daysHighs around 61 °F (16 °C), lows around 34 °F (1 °C), rain on about 9 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Memorial Day big impact
Last Monday of May · United States
Start of summer; roads and beaches full.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- Medium
- Prices · United States overall
- Medium
United States overall: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Vail, side by side.
Verdict
May: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Jan: 0 °C (32 °F)32 °F (0 °C)
Night low
May: 1 °C (34 °F)34 °F (1 °C)
Jan: -13 °C (9 °F)9 °F (-13 °C)
Rain days
May: 9
Jan: 8 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jan: 0
May: Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Oct–Nov (mud season, lifts and many businesses closed).
January: Inside Vail's best window: Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hike, bike, raft).
Vail: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings