Vail early December.

Question

How busy should I expect vail to be December 8 to 13? Should we make reservations for dinner each night? Or is this still a slow week?

Answer

Early December in Vail—specifically December 8 to 13—is typically considered part of the early season, before the holiday rush. This period usually falls between opening week excitement and the extremely busy weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s. Because of that, the village is active but not crowded, and you’ll find a much more relaxed atmosphere compared to peak dates.

Snow conditions can vary (depending on natural snowfall and snowmaking progress), but the village, hotels, and many restaurants are fully open. You should expect moderate traffic on the mountain, especially on weekends, but weekdays are usually comfortable with short lift lines. It’s a great time to visit if you want quieter slopes and more approachable pricing.

When it comes to dining, you don’t need to lock down every night with reservations, but you should still plan ahead for the more popular places. This week is not slow enough to guarantee walk-ins everywhere, especially at the top-tier restaurants. A dinner reservation strategy ensures you won’t have to scramble last minute.

Make reservations if you want popular, upscale, or highly atmospheric spots (like Matsuhisa, Sweet Basil, Mountain Standard, Almresi, or La Bottega).
Casual restaurants such as pubs, pizzerias, or hotel restaurants often accommodate walk-ins during early December.
Weekends are busier than weekdays, so consider reservations Friday and Saturday even at moderately popular places.

If you prefer flexibility, consider making reservations for only two or three nights and leaving the rest open. You’ll have no trouble finding food, but you may not always get your top-choice restaurant without planning ahead.

In summary: Vail is moderately active but not crowded the week of December 8–13. It’s one of the calmer times of the ski season, and you’ll enjoy quieter slopes and easier logistics. Making a few dinner reservations for your must-visit restaurants is smart, but you won’t need reservations everywhere, every night.

Vail early December.

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