Elevation
Vail elevation
Vail, Colorado is 8,189 feet (2,496 meters) above sea level — more than a mile high.
What 8,189 feet means in Vail
Among the 200 cities on this site, Vail is one of the highest. At 8,189 ft the air is thin enough that most visitors notice it: stairs and hills feel harder for the first few days.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Vail a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 22.06 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg.
Cooking. Water boils at about 197 °F (91.5 °C) here, so boiled foods cook more slowly and baking recipes often need small high-altitude adjustments. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact elevation where you are standing, use What is my elevation?
Elevation of places near Vail
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breckenridge, CO | 9,728 | 2,965 | 21 mi |
| Leadville, CO | 10,161 | 3,097 | 27 mi |
| Aspen, CO | 7,890 | 2,405 | 39 mi |
| Steamboat Springs, CO | 6,732 | 2,052 | 63 mi |
| Boulder, CO | 5,328 | 1,624 | 64 mi |
| Estes Park, CO | 7,546 | 2,300 | 68 mi |
| Denver, CO | 5,279 | 1,609 | 74 mi |
| Fort Collins, CO | 5,003 | 1,525 | 94 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation of Vail?
Vail, Colorado is about 8,189 feet (2,496 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Vail because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 8,189 ft is about 22.06 inHg (747 hPa), 74% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 74% as much oxygen as at sea level.
At what temperature does water boil in Vail?
About 197 °F (91.5 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.