VAIL Like nothing on earth.™

A Legendary Start

No hyperbole about it, with over a 100″ of snow to date, the start to the 2018/19 season has been nothing short of legendary. 

Snapshot of the season

What’s made it so incredible? Here’s a snapshot:

• First early opening, November 14, since 2002.
• The most open terrain in North America with over 5,000 acres.
• One of the earliest openings for the Back Bowls, November 25.
• Second-earliest opening for Blue Sky Basin in history, November 29, 2018, behind only the Nov. 25, 2002 opening.
• Over 100″ of snow as of December 10.

Mid-winter snow conditions

The conditions have been stellar from day one, with consistent snowfall teeing up plentiful powder days mixed in with that classic Colorado sunshine. Skiers and riders have been giddy to find conditions that are already feeling like our typical mid-winter snowpack.

Video from Nov. 25:

The 2nd earliest opening of Blue Sky Basin

The early opening of Blue Sky Basin was a particular highlight to the season, given that in a typical year the beloved terrain, situated a full seven miles from the front side of the mountain, tends to open in late December/early January.

Video from Nov. 29:

Great snow = Happy skiers

The energy around Vail has been abuzz with excitement as skiers and riders swap stories of their incredible runs on the mountain. Here’s just a sampling from our Facebook page:

Dave Kraft, Dec. 4: The most remarkable skiing today. Seemed like there was only a dozen people in the Back Bowls today, maybe less than that since all 10 major Bowls are open…It’s a dream ski season so far. Coverage is the best pre-Christmas I can remember. Riva Bahn opened today and nearly all black diamond terrain is not just open, it’s plush. Extreme terrain of Front Side Chutes and Mudslide just opened for the first time. Close to 5,000 acres with 181 trails of 195 open.

Erin Andersen, Dec. 3: The BEST early season conditions I’ve ever skied! 🙌Powder for hours.

 

Early season 2018 in photos:

 

Video from Dec. 4:

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