Vail’s 2014-2015 Ski and Snowboard Season Comes to a Close on Sunday, April 19
- Annual World Pond Skimming Championships in Golden Peak at 3 p.m.
- The Greyboy Allstars and DJ Ramona to perform a free concert in Vail Village beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Vail Mountain, one of the largest ski resorts in the world, will close out the 2014-2015 ski and snowboard season on Sunday, April 19. Guests of all ages are invited to join in the festivities and are encouraged to do so responsibly so that on-mountain celebrations can continue successfully for many seasons to come.
“It’s been a remarkable season at Vail from the incredible snow we saw over the holidays, to welcoming the world during the 2015 Alpine World Ski Championships, to closing out the season with 10 weeks of spectacular spring skiing and snowboarding,” said Elizabeth Howe, senior director of Vail Mountain operations. “As another season comes to a close this weekend, we encourage all skiers and snowboarders who join in the festivities both on and off the mountain to do so responsibly and safely so that we can continue to celebrate the end of the season in a positive and manageable way.”
In Golden Peak, the World Pond Skimming Championships will get underway at 3 p.m. followed by free live music from DJ Ramona and The Greyboy Allstars at Solaris in Vail Village as a part of Spring Back to Vail. The venue opens at 4 p.m. and music begins at 4:30 p.m.
Vail Resorts operates Vail Mountain under special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service and has made the decision to close the mountain to the public on closing day. On Sunday, all operating lifts and decks will close for the season at 4 p.m. and public restrooms will close at 4 p.m. As is customary, Vail Ski Patrol will detonate a series of avalanche explosives to signal the end of the season and the time at which guests are asked to depart.
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 and violations of federal laws. Skiers and snowboarders must continue to abide by the Colorado Ski Safety Act and “Your Responsibility Code” and observe all posted signs and closures.
“We’d like to remind visitors that consumption of marijuana is prohibited in public places and possession is illegal on federal lands, including Vail Mountain,” said Aaron Mayville, acting district ranger for the Eagle/Holy Cross District of the White River National Forest. “We will continue to work with Vail Resorts and local law enforcement to uphold this, and encourage people to enjoy their public lands and get down the mountain safely at the end of the day.”
Guests are reminded that using any ski lift or trail while impaired by alcohol or controlled substances such as marijuana 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 are subject to search and 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 2015-2016 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 2015-2016 season.
Vail Mountain staff thanks all guests, employees and the Vail community for another fantastic season!
For more information about Vail Mountain visit www.vail.com, stop by the Mountain Information Center in Lionshead or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).
About Vail Mountain
Coveted as one of the largest ski resorts in the world with more than 5,200 acres of skiable terrain, seven legendary Back Bowls spanning seven miles, and the most groomed terrain on the planet, Vail has been an extraordinary winter vacation destination for passionate skiers and snowboarders for more than 50 years. It is home to world-class athletes during the U.S. Ski Team early-season training sessions in Golden Peak, the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships and the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships. Under blue skies more than 300 days each year, friends and families reconnect and celebrate here from year to year and generation to generation. The vacation experience is exceptional, from the Vail Ski & Snowboard School to events, activities and festivals, 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 is a mountain resort like nothing on earth. www.vail.com.
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About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
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; Park City and Canyons in 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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