- Annual World Pond Skimming Championships in Golden Peak begin at 3 p.m.
- Jimmy Cliff to perform free concert in Vail Village at 4 p.m.
VAIL, Colo. – April 10, 2013 – Vail Mountain, the largest ski resort in the United States, will celebrate closing day of its landmark 50th anniversary season on Sunday, April 14. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages are invited to join in the festivities both on and off the mountain throughout the day and commemorate the end of the historic season. The resort is again asking skiers and riders to celebrate responsibly to ensure that on-mountain celebrations can continue successfully in the future.
“Vail’s 50th anniversary season has been a truly memorable event for the resort and community,” said Chris Jarnot, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “We hope that locals and guests alike enjoyed the season-long celebration and we invite everyone to join in the festivities both on and off the mountain on April 14 to close out this historic winter at Vail.”
In Golden Peak, the World Pond Skimming Championships will get underway at 3 p.m. followed by a free outdoor concert from Grammy-winning reggae artist Jimmy Cliff at Solaris in Vail Village as part of Spring Back to Vail.
On the mountain, all operating lifts and decks will close for the season at 4 p.m. As is customary on closing day, Vail Ski Patrol will detonate a series of avalanche explosives at approximately 4:30 p.m. to signal the end of the season.
Resort officials ask everyone for their continued cooperation with ski patrol and other Vail Mountain staff on closing day Sunday. For those picnicking on the mountain, trash and recycling containers will be provided. Skiers and riders are also reminded that variable late-spring conditions exist and are encouraged to descend or download early. Once Vail Ski Patrol sweeps the mountain, it will remain closed until summer operations resume in early June.
U.S. Forest Service and local law enforcement officers will be on the mountain Sunday to help facilitate a safe end to the ski and snowboard season. Guests are expected to abide by the laws and rules of skiing and snowboarding and risk fines or arrest for irresponsible behavior. Skiers and snowboarders must continue to abide by the Colorado Ski Safety Act and “Your Responsibility Code” and observe all posted signs and closures.
“Playing it safe is critical to everyone having a good time on closing day,” said Don Dressler, snow ranger for the White River National Forest. “Take care of each other and enjoy your public lands responsibly.”
Guests are reminded that using any ski lift or trail while impaired by alcohol or controlled substances is prohibited under the Colorado Ski Safety Act. Guests are also not permitted to ride lifts, ski or snowboard on Vail Mountain with open containers or exposed quantities of alcohol, coolers, suitcase-like carriers, barbeques or similar items. One daypack per person will be permitted on closing day, provided the bag fits in a five-gallon container. Bags that do not meet the requirement will only be allowed if they contain no alcohol or controlled substances.
Inappropriate behavior that may jeopardize the experience of other guests is not tolerated. As in recent years, violators who are ticketed or arrested or caught throwing snowballs will lose skiing and snowboarding privileges for the 2013-2014 season. Those who disobey posted signs and closures or engage in other inappropriate behavior could lose skiing and snowboarding privileges for up to the entire 2013-2014 season.
Vail Mountain staff thanks all guests, employees and the Vail community for a fantastic 50th anniversary season.
For more information about Vail Mountain and closing day visit www.vail.com, stop by the Mountain Information Center in Lionshead, or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).
About Vail Mountain
Celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout the 2012-2013 season and coveted as the largest ski resort in the United States with more than 5,200 acres of skiable terrain and seven legendary Back Bowls spanning seven miles, Vail is an extraordinary winter vacation destination. Under blue skies more than 300 days each year and with more groomed terrain than anywhere on the planet, families reconnect and celebrate here from year to year and generation to generation. The vacation experience is world class, from the Vail Ski & Snowboard School to the events, activities and festivals, the shops and spas, abundant culinary experiences and luxurious accommodations. 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 can still credibly lay claim to being a resort like nothing on earth www.vail.com.
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About Vail Resorts
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; 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.