Honestly, if you’re looking at the Vail 14 day forecast right now, you’re probably seeing a lot of "partly sunny" icons and wondering where the legendary Colorado powder went. It’s been a weird year. I’m not going to sugarcoat it—as of mid-January 2026, Vail is sitting on one of the leanest snowpacks in nearly 50 years.
Specifically, the recording stations are flagging this as the worst snowpack in 47 years. That’s a heavy stat. But does it mean your trip is ruined? Not necessarily. It just means you need to play the forecast differently than you would in a "normal" year.
The Immediate Outlook: Sunshine and "Dustings"
Right now, the sky over the village is looking pretty clear, but it’s definitely chilly. Today, Saturday, January 17, we’re looking at a high of 23°F with some light snow moving through. Don't expect a face-shot day; it's more of a "refresher" for the groomed runs. By tonight, it clears out, and the temperature is going to tank down to 11°F.
Tomorrow, Sunday, is going to be a classic bluebird day. High of 32°F, pure sun. If you’re here for the views and the après-ski scene, Sunday is your day. Just know that the Back Bowls are still struggling. Usually, by now, they’d be fully open and legendary. This year? It’s looking like one of the latest openings in the mountain's history.
Looking Toward Next Week
As we move into the middle of the month, the pattern stays pretty dry. Monday and Tuesday (January 19-20) are showing more of that high-altitude sunshine. Temperatures will hover between 27°F and 31°F during the day, which is actually quite pleasant for cruising the front side.
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The real change in the Vail 14 day forecast starts to show up around the January 22-25 window.
Meteorologists are tracking a potential shift that could finally bring some meaningful accumulation. We’re seeing a 35-40% chance of snow starting Friday night, January 23, and continuing through Monday, January 26. Is it the "Big One"? Probably not, but it’s the best chance we’ve had in weeks to get some soft coverage back on the upper mountain.
Breaking Down the Daily Numbers
- Monday, Jan 19: Sunny. High: 27°F, Low: 4°F. (Bundle up for that morning lift ride).
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Partly sunny. High: 30°F. Wind stays light at around 11 mph.
- Saturday, Jan 24: Clouds move in. High: 39°F. This is where the moisture starts to show up.
- Sunday, Jan 25: Best bet for snow. High: 37°F, Low: 15°F. 40% chance of consistent flakes.
Why the Snow is Dodging the Rockies
You’ve probably heard people blaming La Niña. They’re mostly right. This season, the Pacific has been acting up, pushing the moisture into the Pacific Northwest and leaving the Central Rockies—and Vail specifically—in a bit of a dry hole.
Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz actually noted recently that snowfall across the Rockies is down nearly 60% compared to the 30-year average. That’s why only about 55% of the total runs are open right now. If you’re an expert skier looking for the steep-and-deep stuff, you’ll find that only about 13% of the expert terrain is currently "go" time.
Basically, the mountain is doing everything it can with snowmaking, but you can't fake a 40-inch storm.
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How to Handle This Forecast
If you’re heading up here in the next two weeks, change your mindset. This isn't a powder-chasing trip. It’s a "groomer and sunshine" trip.
- Stick to the Front Side: The beginner and intermediate runs are actually in decent shape—95% of beginner terrain is open because of the world-class snowmaking.
- Watch the Wind: Even on sunny days, that northwest wind can bite. Today, it’s hitting 13 mph, making that 23-degree high feel a lot more like 10 degrees.
- Check the Night Temps: We’re seeing lows in the single digits (4°F on Monday). That’s great for the snowmakers to keep the base firm, but it means the mornings will be "firm" (read: icy) until the sun hits the slopes around 10:30 AM.
Actionable Next Steps
Check the Vail 14 day forecast again on Wednesday morning. That’s when the models for the January 25 storm will actually have some reliability. If that storm holds, it’ll be the first real reset of the month. Until then, wax your skis for hardpack, not powder. Grab a seat at an outdoor deck on Sunday, soak up that 32-degree sun, and enjoy the fact that you aren't fighting through a blizzard to get to the bar.
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Keep an eye on the wind speeds around the 25th; if that west wind kicks up over 15 mph as predicted, expect some lift holds on the upper mountain.