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Kirkwood Will Open for Summer Operations on July 4th
  • Mountain Biking
  • Hiking
  • Disc Golf
  • Events
KIRKWOOD, Calif. – June 27, 2014 – Summer adventures at Kirkwood kickoff on July 4 offering guests ample outdoor recreational opportunities including mountain biking, hiking, disc golf and horseback riding. The resort also hosts several popular events throughout July and August such as the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD) BBQ, the 13th Annual Kirkwood Wildflower Festival and the 13th Annual Thin Air Chili Cook Off. 
 
“We are looking forward to a great summer up here at Kirkwood,” says Casey Blann, General Manager of Kirkwood Mountain Resort. “From exhilarating activities like mountain biking to more relaxed alpine hikes and horseback rides to family friendly events, we have something for everyone up here.”
 
The resort will be open for summer operations beginning July 4 through August 31. Lift accessed hiking and biking will be available on the weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
 
Casey Blann added, “Kirkwood affords the opportunity to really get away from it all; if you need down time, me time or family time, this is the place to disengage from the reality of urban life and get back to what’s natural.”
 
Outdoor Activities 
 
Mountain Biking and Hiking
Kirkwood boasts 24 hiking and mountain biking trails ranging from mellow beginning on the lower mountain to more advanced trails accessed off of Caples Crest Lift. The trails are open seven days a week during the summer and are lift accessible on the weekends. Day tickets or Mountain Bike Park passes are required to use all lifts. Mountain bike and safety equipment rentals are available at Summer HQ located at Red Cliffs Lodge. 
 
Disc Golf
The Kirkwood disc golf course, DiscWood, is a popular activity in the summer. It is a challenging, 18-hole basket course located in the Timber Creek area of the mountain. Discs are available to purchase in the rental shop where guests can also pick up their scorecards. 
 
Horseback Riding
A 30 or 90 minute horseback ride is an excellent way to experience the beauty of Kirkwood and the surrounding mountains. For the younger guests there is also a half-day Buckaroo Camp, which serves as an introduction to horses and trail riding. 
 
Alpine Lakes
Four pristine alpine lakes are found in close proximity to Kirkwood and offer excellent swimming, angling and boating opportunities. Caples Lake, one mile up SR 88 from Kirkwood, has kayaks and canoes for rent, while Silver Lake is the best spot to escape the summer heat and go swimming. Additional water recreation can be found at nearby Kirkwood Lake and Margaret Lake. 
 
Summer Events  
 
July 5 - Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department BBQ, Beer & Wine Tasting and Auction
Opening weekend at Kirkwood kicks off with one of the most anticipated events of the summer. The Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department BBQ features live music, food, beer and wine tasting, and children’s activities. 
 
July 26 – The 13th Annual Kirkwood Wildflower Festival
This festival celebrates the beautiful blanket of wildflowers that covers Kirkwood during the summer. There will be guided wildflower hikes, wildflower art in the Village Plaza, food and drink, and fun activities for the younger guests. 
 
August 9 – Kirkwood Inn 150th Anniversary Celebration
The celebration of the historic Kirkwood Inn will include a BBQ and horseshoe tournament, as well as, a book signing and storytelling session by June Somerville, author of Legend of a Road: A Witness to the Exploration and Immigration on the Road Above Silver Lake and Beyond.
 
August 30 – The 13th Annual Thin Air Chili Cook Off 
The region’s best Chili makers all head to Kirkwood to show off their best creations at the Thin Air Chili Cook Off.  This event is a local favorite up here and unofficially closes the summer season at Kirkwood. In addition to the chili, the event features beer/wine tasting and a kid’s zone. 
 
Mountain Bike Clinics 
 
August 2 & 23 – All Ages Mountain Bike Clinic
The Tahoe Center for Orthopedics is offering two one day mountain bike clinics at Kirkwood Mountain Resort. These full day clinics run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and are open to men, women and children. The goal is to improve each riders overall ability. Each clinic will be divided into groups of men, women and children so participants can spend more time with the coaches.  
 
Summer Dining
 
Kirkwood Inn Turns 150 this Summer
The Kirkwood Inn Celebrating 150 years this summer The Kirkwood Inn was built by Zachary Kirkwood back in 1864. The restaurant’s rustic setting and hearty food make it a favorite for both winter and summer guests. The Inn, as it is commonly referred to, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the summer months and has both indoor and outdoor seating available. There will be a celebration at the Kirkwood Inn August 9, commemorating it’s rich history. 
 
 
About Kirkwood
Kirkwood Mountain Resort is one of the nation's top destination resorts. Located just 177 miles from the Bay Area along scenic Highway 88, its base elevation of 7,800-feet, assures skiers more annual snowfall than any other resort in the Tahoe region and summer guests a true High Sierra experience. Summer activities at Kirkwood include hiking, lift accessed mountain biking and horseback riding. An ideal location for weddings and corporate meetings, the Kirkwood Village includes boutique shopping, summer events, live music and dining. For more information about Kirkwood Mountain Resort, visit www.kirkwood.comor call 209.258.6000.

About Vail Resorts, Inc. 
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Canyons in Park City, Utah; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction 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.
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