VAIL Like nothing on earth.™

Vail Opens Back Bowls for Thanksgiving

Photo by Andrew Taylor

Skiers and snowboarders have even more to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday at Vail with High Noon Express Lift (#5) opening today, providing access to terrain in Sun Up and Sun Down bowls. We’ve received more than 30 inches of snow since Saturday, and more than six feet in the past three weeks, making for fantastic conditions across the mountain! 

“We have a lot to be thankful for every year in Vail, but this year is extraordinary. It’s rare to have conditions this good, this early in the season,” said Chris Jarnot, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “We’ll be talking about Thanksgiving 2014 for years to come. Our crews have been working incredibly hard literally around the clock to open terrain as quickly as possible. With Chair 5 now open, we hope to open China Bowl next, possibly yet this weekend.”

Photos shot Nov. 26, 2014 by Jack Affleck

With the addition of Vail’s Legendary Back Bowls, guests now have access to more than 2,700 developed skiable acres of terrain – the most open terrain in the country right now! Runs are currently accessible by the following lifts:

• Gondola One
• Avanti Express Lift (#2)
• Wildwood Express Lift (#3)
• Mountain Top Express Lift (#4)
• High Noon Express Lift (#5)
• Riva Bahn Express Lift (#6)
• Game Creek Express Lift (#7)
• Born Free Express Lift (#8)
• Highline Express Lift (#10)
• Northwoods Express Lift (#11)
• Gopher Hill Lift (#12)
• Little Eagle Lift (#15)
• Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19)
• Cascade Village Lift (#20)

We anticipate opening the remainder of Vail’s lifts and terrain, including Blue Sky Basin in early December.

All guests are reminded that they must observe all posted signs and closures, especially during the early season. Closed trails may contain hazards due to early snow coverage. Accessing closed terrain is a violation of the Colorado Ski Safety Act and will result in the loss of skiing privileges and could involve prosecution and a fine.

 

 

On Mountain Dining

Daytime dining is available at The Marketplace at Eagle’s Nest, Express Lift at Mountain Plaza in Vail Village, and both the Look Ma and Terrace levels at Mid-Vail from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 10^th, Vail’s elevated on-mountain sit-down dining experience, is also open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For the Thanksgiving weekend, The 10^thwill be open for dinner service Thursday through Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m. Regular dinner service will resume for the season beginning Tuesday, Dec. 16 and reservations can be made by calling (970) 754-1010.

Dinner service at Game Creek Restaurant and Bistro Fourteen will begin on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Both restaurants will be open nightly through Saturday, Jan. 3 before moving to their regular dinner service schedule Tuesdays through Saturdays.

EpicDay Express: For the Ultimate Convenience and Savings on Lift Tickets 

With the implementation of a new mobile ticket platform, guests now have the ability to purchase daily lift tickets online and on their mobile devices, in advance or up-to-the-minute before enjoying the mountain at the guaranteed lowest price – as much as 25 percent off the lead rate. In other words, bypass the normal ticket window and get on the mountain faster than ever! Existing hard card lift passes may be instantly reloaded, allowing skiers and snowboarders to head right to the lift. For guests who need a new hard card, an express lane will be available at ticket windows for added convenience.

And, lift tickets aren’t the only part of the ski trip where guests can benefit from booking in advance. Guests are now also guaranteed the lowest price, and best availability, when booking ski and snowboard lessons online, at least 48 hours in advance with the Vail Ski & Snowboard School. Specialty lesson products and offerings this season include 2015 World Championship lesson experiences, a new Women’s Ultimate 4 lesson, and the return of the popular Ski Girls Rock program. For more information or to book, call (970) 754-4300 or visit www.vail.com/lessons.

Kick-Off Winter with Snow, Après, and Free Concerts at Vail Snow Daze Dec. 12-14 & 19-21

Early season also brings the resort’s signature event – Snow Daze! Not long after the annual start of the ski and snowboard season, Snow Daze, offers visitors the ultimate winter kick-off party. Spend the day on the mountain, après at parties throughout the village, and wrap up the night with free concerts! This year’s lineup features live entertainment from Lukas Nelson & P.O.T.R., The Wallflowers, 10,000 Maniacs and Rusted Root. For more information, visit www.vail.com/snowdaze.

 Enjoy Early Season and Off-Peak Pursuits at Vail this Winter!

Dreaming of the mountain to yourself now? Come experience everything Vail Mountain and Vail Village have to offer during early season and off-peak time periods this winter and receive the BEST rates of the season. Plus, book two or more nights at The Lodge at Vail or The Arrabelle at Vail Square and receive up to $150 mountain money to use towards lift tickets, rentals, shopping, dining and more. The longer you stay, the more you receive!

For more information about Vail Mountain visit www.vail.com, or stop by the Mountain Information Center, or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).