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Vail Opening Day 2013

Vail opened for the season Friday, Nov. 22! With a mix of great early season snowfall, colder temperatures and the hard work of our mountain operations crews, we were able to open both the Lionshead and Vail Village base areas for opening day 2013. Pics and video of the day below!

11/23/2013: TERRAIN UPDATE

We were able to open Avanti Express Lift (#2) at lunch time today, adding runs like Kangaroo Cornice, Hunky Dory, Meadows, South Look Ma, Lower Ramshorn, Look Ma, Challenge, Mid Vail Express, Over Easy, Avanti, Pickeroon, Eagle Nest Ridge, Upper Berries, Lodegepole and Ledges!

While snow coverage is good across the mountain, we just need some chilly snowmaking temps to fill in the gaps on some key connecting trails and lift mazes in order to get more lifts opened. We expect to see some big terrain gains in the next few days so stay tuned to the blog and Facebook for big announcements.

11/22/2013: OPENING DAY!

VIDEO:

 

 

11/21/2013: TERRAIN UPDATE

The majority of skiing and riding will be available on Born Free with connecting routes from the top of Gondola One and the top of Eagle Bahn Gondola (. Beginner terrain will be available at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola around Little Eagle Lift (#15). We are very close to opening much more terrain on natural snow, we just need a little more snow and, more importantly, cold temperatures for our snowmakers and groomers to fill in the few gaps and ditches to connect everything together safely. Ski Patrol is evaluating trails every day and once a run is safe and skiable, we will drop ropes immediately. 

Here’s what Vail’s COO, Chris Jarnot, had to say about openings: “We are very close to being able to open up much more additional terrain on mostly natural snow, and just need a bit more snow and, most importantly, cold temperatures to allow our snowmakers and groomers to fill in a few ditches, holes and gaps to connect everything together safely.  Ski Patrol will be evaluating trails every day, and we will open up as much additional terrain as we can, as soon as we can open it safely for all of our guests.  Keep your fingers crossed for continued snow and for cold temperatures, and we’ll get there soon.” 

Skiing and riding will be offered from Gondola One, Born Free Express Lift (#8), the Eagle Bahn Gondola and Little Eagle Lift (#15) beginning at 9 a.m. Friday.

Opening Day activities

Starting at 8am, we’ll be offering early risers a variety of food and swag. Burritos and hot cocoa will be handed out at both base areas. Starbucks and Nature Valley will also be handing out treats in line. Red Bull will be DJing in Vail Village.

Safety
Until more terrain opens, all of Vail Mountain is considered a slow zone. Please be in control and going with the flow of skiers at all times. Thank you for your cooperation!

 

Lodging and Dining
Need a place to stay and a pass or ticket? Head to Vail.com’s Lodging and Lift Ticket pages.

Ski and Snowboard School
Want to get a jump-start on the season with ski and snowboard lessons? The Lionshead Adults and Children’s Ski & Snowboard School offices will be open for all ability levels and the Vail Village Ski & Snowboard School office will be open for private lessons. Small World Nursery at the Golden Peak Children’s Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

On-Mountain Dining
The Marketplace at Eagle’s Nest, Express Lift at Mountain Plaza in Vail Village, and the Look Ma level at Mid-Vail will open for the season for daily operations, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Friday. The bar at Bistro Fourteen will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Friday.

The 10^th, Vail’s newest on-mountain dining experience, will open for the season for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday. For the Thanksgiving weekend, The 10^th will be open for dinner service Thursday through Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m. Regular dinner service will resume for the season starting Tuesday, Dec. 17. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling (970) 754-1010.

Game Creek Restaurant and Bistro Fourteen will also begin regular dinner service on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Adventure Ridge Activities
Beginning Friday, Nov. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., guests will also have access to a variety of activities at Adventure Ridge at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, including the bungee trampolines, kids snowmobiling, and a limited children’s sledding area.

 

If you have any questions about opening day, please let us know in the comment section below!