SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. — Nov. 8, 2017 — Keystone Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort will open for the 2017-2018 winter season on Friday, Nov. 10, with lifts starting at 9 a.m. Both resorts will welcome the new ski and snowboard season with music, giveaways and plenty of excitement for the first turns of the season.
“We’re thrilled to open for skiing and snowboarding this Friday at Breckenridge and Keystone,” said John Buhler, Breckenridge’s vice president and chief operating officer. “I’m incredibly proud of all that our resort teams have accomplished to prepare both resorts for our guests.”
Opening Day at Breck will begin with the free BreckConnect Gondola starting at 8 a.m. to provide access to Peak 8, complimentary cinnamon buns provided by Ski Hill Grill while supplies last, and DJ DC spinning music on the snow by the Colorado SuperChair. The Colorado SuperChair will open at 9 a.m. with access to the beginner Springmeier trail for skiing and snowboarding.
Keystone begins the season welcoming skiers and snowboarders with donut holes from Keystone’s executive pastry chef, as well as hot chocolate and coffee at the base of River Run Gondola. A limited number of giveaways such as Keystone travel mugs and Starbucks gift cards will be available, as well as several raffle prizes, including GoPro HERO5 cameras and a kids’ snowboard.
“We’re very excited to open for the season and debut the new Montezuma Express Lift,” said Geoff Buchheister, Keystone’s vice president and general manager. “Our lift maintenance team put in a tremendous amount of work to get the lift ready for opening day, and I look forward to greeting our guests as they get in their first turns of the season at Keystone.”
Lifts will begin turning at 9 a.m., and skiers and snowboarders will have access to the River Run Gondola and the new six-passenger Montezuma Express chairlift to enjoy beginner terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon. Skiing and riding access will be from the top of Dercum Mountain to the bottom of the new Montezuma Express lift, and guests can download the River Run Gondola when they are done skiing and riding for the day.
Please be reminded that limited terrain and early season conditions exist. Keystone Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort require all skiers and riders to observe all posted signs and warnings. Closed trails may contain hazards due to limited natural snow coverage and snowmaking operations. For the safety of all guests, please keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
Capital Improvements Provide Winter Rewards at Keystone and Breckenridge
Both Keystone and Breck have completed capital improvement projects this summer to reinvest in the winter mountain experience for guests. At Keystone, the Montezuma Express Lift, a primary lift on Dercum Mountain that serves popular beginner and intermediate ski terrain, was replaced with a new high-speed, six-passenger chair. The Montezuma Express will open on opening day.
Keystone also renovated and expanded Labonte’s Smokehouse BBQ with a new, 190-seat indoor facility for the on-mountain dining venue – perfect for family diners. Located at the base of Keystone’s North Peak, Labonte’s is a popular restaurant serving house smoked meats and barbeque during the ski day.
At Breckenridge, the Falcon SuperChair on Peak 10 was replaced with a new high-speed, six-passenger lift, offering an easier and faster ride up the mountain. Peak 10 is a popular area for advanced skiers and snowboarders providing access to fun and challenging terrain, easily accessed from the Peak 9 base area. If that’s not a sweet enough treat, Breckenridge’s Ten Mile Station is going “Willy Wonka” this season, adding a “Candy Corner” that will offer an array of chocolates and sweets, and Pioneer Crossing is adding sweet and savory crepes to its breakfast lineup this winter.
Epic Passes Available through Sunday, Nov. 19
Sunday, Nov. 19 marks the final day to purchase a 2017-2018 Epic Pass, saving up to 40 percent compared to lift ticket window prices. Ski unlimited and unrestricted from opening day to closing day for only $899. The Epic Pass offers unlimited, unrestricted skiing and pays for itself in just over four days. Enjoy full access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at Lake Tahoe; Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont; Afton Alps in Minnesota; Mt. Brighton in Michigan; Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin; Whistler Blackcomb in Canada; and Perisher in Australia for the 2018 season. The Epic Pass grants limited access to Les 3 Vallées, Paradiski and Tignes-Val D’Isere in France; 4 Vallées in Switzerland; Arlberg in Austria and Skirama Dolomiti in Italy. A child pass (ages five to 12) is $469.
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About Keystone Resort
At Keystone Resort, kids have no age limit. It is a place where play is the root of all good, and play is for everyone. Keystone is a family playground where kids of all ages can discover the magic of playing in the mountains. It is the ultimate family resort destination and has long been the place where families rule. In winter, the ski resort boasts more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain including three incredible peaks, five above-tree-line bowls, night skiing and an in-bounds cat skiing program. Home to the industry’s-leading Kids Ski Free offer, kids 12 and younger can ski and ride for free every day, all season long with just two or more nights of lodging booked through the resort, no blackout dates. Keystone’s signature Kidtopia activities elevate any visit with a variety of free, daily family offerings throughout the winter season, such as arts and crafts events, scavenger hunts, a parade and fireworks, and the world’s largest Snow Fort. For more information visit keystoneresort.com.
About Breckenridge Ski Resort
“Breck” boasts five huge peaks, 2,908 acres, four terrain parks, a 22 foot Superpipe, 11 bowls, North America’s highest chairlift, some of the country’s best above tree-line terrain, fun gladed trails, and plenty of family-friendly runs. Couple that with a world-class ski and snowboard school, all situated above an authentic, hip Colorado mountain town; it’s why Breck is consistently ranked one of the most popular ski resorts in the Western Hemisphere. Renowned for its welcoming spirit and friendly locals - with over 200 restaurants, bars, shops, and numerous year-round activities and events - Breck embodies more than just a destination, it inspires a way of life. www.Breckenridge.com
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. Vail Resorts’ subsidiaries operate 11 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; Stowe in Vermont; 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.