SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. — Nov. 5, 2018 – Ideal early season conditions, including natural snow and consistent snowmaking operations, has set the stage for early opening days at both Breckenridge Ski Resort and Keystone Resort. Up to five feet of snow has fallen across Breck and Keystone since mid-October, with up to four feet of snow in the past week alone.
Originally set to open on Friday, Nov. 9, both Breck and Keystone will now open for the 2018-19 winter season at 9 a.m. this Wednesday, Nov. 7.
“This is the first time in nearly 10 years that either Breckenridge or Keystone will be opening early,” said John Buhler, Breckenridge’s vice president and chief operating officer. “It’s been a snowy start to the season and it is official; the skiing and snowboarding season is here. We are thrilled to kick off the winter season this week and anticipate opening up a variety of terrain quickly at the resorts.”
At Breckenridge, skiers and riders will have skiing and riding via the Colorado SuperChair and Rip’s Ride, and terrain updates will continue to be made throughout the week. Lifts open at 9 a.m. while the BreckConnect Gondola, providing access from town to Peak 8, will open at 8 a.m. To celebrate opening on Wednesday, guests can enjoy complimentary waffles provided by The Waffle Shop (a new on-mountain dining offering that will open this season at The Maggie on Peak 9), and DJ DC spinning music on the snow. Additional opening weekend celebrations will continue on the morning of Friday, Nov. 9 with the Brothers of Brass set to join the festivities, bringing the sounds of New Orleans street music to the slopes of Breck. The resort will also honor a local Veteran and the Summit County High School choir will perform the National Anthem prior to first chair.
Keystone will offer skiing and riding on beginner trails Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, with access provided by the River Run Gondola and the Montezuma Express Chairlift. There will be an early season A51 Terrain Park located on Schoolmarm with eight features. Guests will download the River Run Gondola when they are done skiing and riding for the day. Lifts open at 9 a.m.
Soon thereafter, Keystone will officially open North Peak on Friday, Nov. 9 with intermediate terrain available. Guests will have access to the intermediate trail Prospector via the Outpost Gondola and Santiago Express.
On Wednesday, Keystone will begin the season welcoming skiers and snowboarders with homemade breakfast treat from Keystone’s new executive pastry chef, as well as hot chocolate and coffee at the base of River Run Gondola. Guests will have access to ski and snowboard lessons with the Keystone Ski & Ride School, rentals, food and beverage options including 9280 Tap House and Starbucks in River Run Village, and the Summit House atop Dercum Mountain.
On Friday, Keystone will continue to celebrate getting #BackToSnow with raffles and prizes, including Helly Hansen hats and backpacks and Starbucks gift packs, music and expanded terrain.
Early Season & Uphill Access
Please be reminded that limited terrain and early season conditions exist. Breckenridge Ski Resort and Keystone 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. Uphill access at both Breckenridge and Keystone is currently not permitted due to early season mountain preparations and snowmaking. Once early season operations are complete and the resort has adequate terrain to safely permit these activities, each resort will announce when uphill access is open to guests.
Epic Pass: Secure the Greatest Season Pass Value in the Ski Industry before Sunday, Nov. 18
The last chance to purchase the 2018-19 Epic Pass and the entire lineup of Epic Season Pass options – including the Epic Local, Epic 7-Day, Epic 4-Day, and Epic Military Pass – is Sunday, Nov. 18. The Epic Pass provides skiers and riders with the greatest multi-resort pass value in the ski industry, offering access to more than 65 resorts in eight countries for $949. New for the 2018-19 winter season, the Epic Pass will now feature unlimited, unrestricted skiing and riding at 19 mountain resorts including Crested Butte, plus seven days at Telluride, in addition to unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. The entire lineup of passes is available for purchase at www.epicpass.com.
Mountain Dew Snow Dance – Saturday, Nov. 17
To celebrate the start of the winter season in Breck, Mountain Dew and Breckenridge Ski Resort are thrilled to present the Snow Dance on Saturday, Nov. 17, an exciting early season experience featuring a free live concert by GRAMATIK and others. This ultimate mountain experience will also feature on-mountain activations with Red Gerard – local Coloradan and 2018 Olympic gold medalist, and five-time X Games medalist, Julia Marino. The Mountain Dew Snow Dance is free and open to the public of all ages. Events on the mountain will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and free live concerts in town take place from 4-7 p.m. Come pay tribute to the winter skies at Breck for the #DEWSnowDance.
Kidtopia Holiday Spectacular – Nov. 24-Dec. 24, 2018
The Kidtopia Holiday Spectacular features a lighting ceremony of the world’s largest snow fort, a mountaintop celebration, and free festive fun for the entire family all month long. Throughout the month, guests can enjoy a tree lighting with Santa Claus, free daily Kidtopia programs, fireworks, Ripperoo’s Village Parade, Keystone’s annual Chocolate Village located in the lobby of the Keystone Lodge & Spa. All activities are free, with a season pass, lift ticket or scenic pass needed to access the gondola. A schedule of events can be found at KeystoneResort.com.
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. Vail Resorts’ subsidiaries operate 15 world-class mountain resorts and three urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte 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 and Okemo in Vermont; Mt. Sunapee in New Hampshire; Stevens Pass in Washington; 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.