When it closes
Vail Pass sits well above treeline on both approaches, so it takes the full force of Rocky Mountain storms with little wind protection. Heavy snow, whiteouts, and avalanche control work close I-70 here several times most winters, sometimes for hours at a stretch. It's also one of the most crash-prone stretches on the corridor when a storm hits during peak ski traffic.
Are chains required on Vail Pass?
CDOT sets traction and chain law restrictions on I-70 over the summit, and they change fast in a storm. This is one of the more frequently restricted stretches on the corridor.
How high is Vail Pass?
10,662 feet, lower than the Eisenhower Tunnel 40 miles east, but more exposed to wind and blowing snow since it's an open summit, not a tunnel.
How far is Vail Pass from Denver?
About 100 miles west on I-70. Track your mile marker over the summit with the MileCheck app on CarPlay or Android Auto.
Where are the plows?
The live page shows each one as an arrow pointing the way it is heading. Parked trucks are listed too.