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Vail Mountain to Open Friday, Nov. 20, for 2015-2016 Season with More than 1,000 Acres of Skiable Terrain
  • Resort to debut new, six-passenger Avanti Express chairlift
  • Expanded opening plan to include Northwoods and a mid-day opening of Game Creek Bowl
VAIL, Colo. – Nov. 19, 2015 – Recent snow storms bringing more than a foot of new snow and ideal snowmaking conditions are allowing Vail Mountain to add additional terrain for the 2015-2016 Opening Day on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. The resort will operate nine lifts, accessing 1,150 skiable acres, which is as much terrain on an Opening Day as the resort has had in a decade. Game Creek Express (#7) and Game Creek Bowl will open during the day Friday.
 
“With a huge thanks to Mother Nature, Mountain Operations and the Vail Ski Patrol, we will open up Vail Mountain tomorrow with the most terrain we’ve had for opening day in years,” said Chris Jarnot, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “And with the additional snow that is forecast, we expect to be able to add terrain between now and Thanksgiving to make for a great holiday at Vail. This is definitely shaping up to be an early-season not to miss!”
 
Guests can access the mountain from Vail Village and Lionshead, and breakfast burritos and hot cocoa will be provided by Vail Mountain at both base areas, as supplies last. The resort will debut the new, six-passenger Avanti Express chairlift on Opening Day as well. The new Avanti Express will include a loading conveyor and gates to improve efficiency and increase capacity by up to 30 percent, which will reduce wait times and improve skier and snowboarder circulation.
 
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, skiers and snowboarders will have access to the following lifts and 1,150 acres of skiable terrain in these areas on Vail Mountain:
  • Gondola One
  • Eagle Bahn Gondola
  • The new, six-passenger Avanti Express (#2)
  • Wildwood Express (#3)
  • Mountain Top Express (#4)
  • Born Free Express (#8)
  • Little Eagle (#15) 
  • Northwoods Express (#11)
  • Game Creek Express (#7), opening during the day
 Skiers and snowboarders will also have access to a terrain park experience on Born Free that will include 10 total features. Beginner terrain will be offered at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola via the Little Eagle Lift (#15).
 
Vail Mountain lifts will open at 9:00 a.m. throughout the early season to accommodate early-morning operations. Skiers and snowboarders are reminded to observe all posted signs and closures, and early season conditions do exist. The Golden Peak base area and Chair 6 are a designated race training area only and will open to the public at a later date.
 
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 on Friday. The 10th, Vail’s elevated on-mountain sit-down dining experience, will open for the season for lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday. Reservations can be made by calling (970) 754-1010 or online at www.the10thvail.com.
 
Vail Ski & Snowboard School
Beginning Friday, the Lionshead and Vail Village Ski & Snowboard School offices will be open. The Small World Nursery at the Golden Peak Children’s Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted. For the best price guaranteed, guests are encouraged to book in advance online at www.vail.com.
 
Vail Mountain Nordic School
The Vail Mountain Nordic School, located in Golden Peak, opens Friday with guided backcountry, snowshoe and cross-country ski tours near Vail Mountain. For more information or to book a lesson, visit the “Things to do” tab at www.vail.com or call (970) 754-3200.
 
The Ticket and Season Pass Offices located in Lionshead and Vail Village will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about Vail Mountain visit www.vail.com, stop by the Mountain Information Center, or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).
 
Last Chance! EpicPass Available Through Sunday, Nov. 22
The Epic Pass™, the best season pass deal in the ski industry offering unlimited, unrestricted access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, Park City in Utah, and Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe, is available only through Sunday, Nov. 22. For details, visit www.epicpass.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.
 
Contact(s)

Sally Gunter

Senior Communications Manager
Email: sgunter@vailresorts.com
Phone: 9707543001
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