Mountain West6.7% avg cap rate

Vail, CO

Colorado's most prestigious ski resort village

Vail is the most recognized ski resort brand in the world and commands the highest nightly rates among Colorado ski markets outside Telluride. Lionshead and Vail Village core properties are SKI-in/ski-out and earn exceptional premiums. Epic Pass accessibility has dramatically grown the addressable visitor market, and summer hiking, cycling, and the GoPro Games drive meaningful shoulder demand.

6.7%
Avg Cap Rate
Net operating income / price
61%
Avg Occupancy
Annual average
$825
Avg Nightly Rate
All property types
$1.6M
Avg List Price
STR-viable properties

Estimated Annual Performance

Gross rental revenue
61% occ × $825/night
$183,686
Est. operating expenses
Mgmt, cleaning, supplies, insurance (~40%)
- $73,474
Est. net operating income
Before mortgage & depreciation
$110,212
At $1.6M avg price
Implied cap rate
6.7%

* Estimates based on market averages. Individual property performance varies. Always run a full underwriting analysis.

Why Investors Choose Vail

World's most recognized ski resort brand
Epic Pass drives broad national and international visitor base
Lionshead/Vail Village ski-in/ski-out commands highest premiums
Eagle County STR permit required
Peak season: Dec - Mar (ski), July (summer events)
Top property types: Condo, Ski-in/Ski-out, Townhouse, Single Family
Primary zip: 81657, 81620

Vail STR investing, answered

Is Vail, CO a good short-term rental market?

Vail is a Mountain West STR market averaging a 6.7% cap rate, 61% annual occupancy, and $825/night across STR-viable listings. Vail is the most recognized ski resort brand in the world and commands the highest nightly rates among Colorado ski markets outside Telluride. Lionshead and Vail Village core properties are SKI-in/ski-out and earn exceptional premiums. Epic Pass accessibility has dramatically grown the addressable visitor market, and summer hiking, cycling, and the GoPro Games drive meaningful shoulder demand.

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Vail?

STR-viable properties in Vail average about 61% occupancy across the year. Peak season is Dec - Mar (ski), July (summer events). Occupancy here reflects availability-adjusted booking performance, not raw calendar occupancy, so it represents what a full-time operated rental can realistically achieve.

How much do short-term rentals earn in Vail?

At $825/night and 61% occupancy, a typical Vail STR grosses roughly $183,686 per year before expenses, leaving an estimated $110,212 in net operating income against a $1.6M average price, an implied 6.7% cap rate. Individual results depend on property, amenities, and management.

What types of properties work best for STR in Vail?

The strongest-performing STR property types in Vail are Condo, Ski-in/Ski-out, Townhouse, Single Family. World's most recognized ski resort brand. Matching the local guest profile and the amenities that drive bookings in this market matters more than raw square footage.

What is the median STR-viable home price in Vail?

STR-viable listings in Vail average around $1.6M. Primary STR ZIP codes include 81657, 81620. Combined with the market's 6.7% average cap rate, that price level sets the return baseline you'd underwrite against.

Market averages, not guarantees. Cap rates, occupancy, and nightly rates are market-wide averages based on active STR listings and historical data. Individual property performance depends on location, amenities, management, and listing quality. Always run a full underwriting analysis before purchasing.

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