The highest chairlift in North America, the Imperial Express SuperChair, opened today, Thanksgiving Day, at Breckenridge Ski Resort. The Nov. 22 opening marks the earliest opening in history for the chairlift since it debuted at the resort during the 2005-06 winter season.
“Opening the Imperial Express this early is yet another impressive indication of the incredible early season that Breckenridge is experiencing,” said John Buhler, Breckenridge’s vice president and chief operating officer. “This is one of the best starts to the season I’ve seen during my 25 years in Breckenridge.”
In addition to the Imperial Express, E-Chair is now open for the season. Skiers and riders have access to approximately 1,300 acres of terrain on Peaks 8 and 9, with additional terrain expected to open for the holiday weekend.
The beginning of the 2018-19 season at Breck has been one full of milestones, including kicking off the season early on Nov. 7 with the earliest opening date in more than a decade, and opening the T-Bar and 6-Chair earlier than any other season in the last 10 years. In terms of snowfall the resort has already received more than 7 feet of snow since mid-October, and more snow is in the forecast this weekend.
The resort will continue to open up new terrain as soon as it’s ready, and Peak 7 is the next major area of terrain that is anticipated to open at the resort.
Epic Pass: Secure the Best Season Pass Deal in the Ski Industry by Dec. 2
With so many resorts opening in the next two weeks and great early season conditions, the Epic Pass deadline has been extended to Sunday, Dec. 2. The Epic Pass provides skiers and riders with the best multi-resort pass deal in the ski industry. New for the 2018-19 winter season, the Epic Pass will now feature unlimited, unrestricted skiing and riding at Crested Butte, plus seven days at Telluride, in addition to unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin.
Imperial Express SuperChair Historical Openings:
- 2017-18 season: Jan. 16
- 2016-17 season: Dec. 21
- 2015-16 season: Dec. 27
- 2014-15 season: Dec. 7
- 2013-14 season: Dec. 27
- 2012-13 season: Feb. 2
- 2011-12 season: Feb. 1
- 2010-11 season: Nov. 25
- 2009-10 season: Jan. 2
- 2008-09 season: Dec. 7
- 2007-08 season: Dec. 5
- 2006-07 season: Nov. 29
- 2005-06 season: Dec. 12
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. Vail Resorts’ subsidiaries operate 15 world-class mountain resorts and three urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada; Perisher in Australia; Stowe and Okemo in Vermont; Mt. Sunapee in New Hampshire; Stevens Pass in Washington; Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan. Vail Resorts owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.