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Vail Mountain Opens Blue Sky Basin on Tuesday
For Immediate Release
 
Vail Mountain Opens Blue Sky Basin on Tuesday
  • Vail has the most open terrain in Colorado
  • Resort has received 20” of new snow in last seven days
VAIL, Colo. – Dec. 13, 2016 – After 20” of new snow in the last seven days, Vail Mountain opened terrain in Blue Sky Basin, accessed via Skyline Express (#37) and Pete’s Express (#39). Chaos Canyon, a children’s adventure zone, and the Avanti Terrain Park are also open with three boxes, one rail, two roller, two berms and one small jump. Vail’s 4,016 acres of open terrain are the most of any ski resort in Colorado and puts the resort at almost 80 percent open.   
 
Vail has received nearly two feet of new snow in the last week, and the Colorado forecast is calling for consistent snowfall until Dec. 18.
 
“With more than 35” of snow in the last two weeks, we’ve been able to open a large majority of our terrain, including our legendary Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin,” said Doug Lovell, chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “If the current weather pattern keeps up, we anticipate being 100 percent open heading into the upcoming holiday season.”
 
Skiers and snowboarders currently have access to the following lifts and 4,016 skiable acres in these areas on Vail Mountain:
  • Gondola One
  • Eagle Bahn Gondola
  • Avanti Express (#2)
  • Wildwood Express (#3)
  • Mountaintop Express (#4)
  • High Noon Express (#5)
  • Riva Bahn Express (#6)
  • Game Creek Express (#7)
  • Born Free Express (#8)
  • Sun Up Express (#9)
  • Highline Express (#10)
  • Northwoods Express (#11)
  • Sourdough Express (#14)
  • Little Eagle (#15) 
  • Orient Express (#21)
  • Teacup Express (#36)
  • Skyline Express (#37)
  • Pete’s Express (#39)
 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.
 
Purchase In Advance to Save the Most
Skiers and snowboarders looking for the best prices on lift tickets need look no further than their smartphone or computer to navigate to www.snow.com/lifttickets. By purchasing lift tickets seven or more days in advance online, skiers and snowboarders will receive the biggest savings – up to 25 percent – and the lowest price, guaranteed. The more days that are purchased, the more guests will save. Advance purchase tickets can be sent directly to guests by mail, allowing them to bypass the ticket window. Guests can also easily pick up their tickets at the resort express windows – or even reload previous tickets, either at the ticket window or online. Online savings can even be found up to midnight the day before skiing or riding. All single- and multi-day lift tickets are printed on “hard cards,” which contain RF technology, allowing guests to capture their ski and ride experience through stats, photos and challenges, and even see any existing lift wait times through EpicMix, Vail Resorts’ industry-leading and award-winning ski and snowboard app. The lowest price guarantee is also available to guests who choose to book lessons in advance online through www.snow.com/skischool. Explore and book a ski or snowboard program online receive the best price, express check-in during the first day of instruction and guaranteed availability for an instructor. Additional vacation values from lodging to equipment rentals can be found at www.snow.com.
 
About Vail Mountain
Under blue skies more than 300 days each year, Vail is an extraordinary mountain resort destination. The vacation experience is exceptional, from the awe-inspiring terrain and natural beauty of the surrounding Gore and Sawatch Ranges to world-class events, activities and festivals, shops and spas, and the abundant culinary experiences and luxurious accommodations that line the pedestrian-friendly streets of Vail Village and Lionshead. Vail is where outdoor pursuits meet village sophistication. Offering more than 5,200 acres of developed ski and snowboard terrain including seven legendary Back Bowls in winter, and flourishing with new summer activities in preparation for the debut of Epic Discovery in 2016, the options for year-round adventure are endless. Coupled with the vision inherent in the spirit of Vail’s founders, and a modern day commitment to excellence in all aspects of guest service and operations, Vail is a mountain resort like nothing on earth.

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Media Note
More info and photos of Vail Mountain are also available at https://news.vail.vailresorts.com. Please credit the photographer listed and Vail Resorts. B-roll and photos are available at: https://vailresorts.box.com/v/VRColoradoSnowContent
 
Media Contact
Sally Gunter, (970) 754-3001, sgunter@vailresorts.com
Maggie Meisinger, (970) 754-4528, mmeisinger@vailresorts.com
 
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. Vail Resorts’ subsidiaries operate ten world-class mountain resorts and three urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone 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; 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.
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