FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Snowmaking begins in Tahoe, Opening Day Celebrations set for Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood
- Heavenly began making snow yesterday morning using the largest snowmaking system on the West Coast of the United States. Northstar and Kirkwood will follow soon on Friday, Nov. 1.
- Opening day celebratory events are scheduled across all three resorts with offerings like live DJs, complimentary hot cocoa, early-bird burritos, a chance to win gear, and other fun activities.
- Photos available for media use. For snowmaking photos at Heavenly, please visit our public Box site here: https://vailresorts.box.com/s/u8b6d71e29w294vqbjdri9ys0c4d4xf7 For winter photos, please visit our public Box site here: https://vailresorts.box.com/s/d1ki35auhlhgabpwj73e1lmcrirkijxj
TAHOE, Calif. — Oct. 28, 2019 – Cold temperatures and dry air have created ideal conditions for making snow in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort, Northstar California Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort all plan to take advantage of this week’s cool weather window to build a solid base for the upcoming 2019-20 winter season.
Heavenly turned on their snowmaking machines at 9 a.m. on Sunday, activating the largest snowmaking system on the West Coast of the United States. Northstar and Kirkwood’s sophisticated snowmaking systems are set to kick in later this week on Friday, Nov. 1, conditions permitting.
Using the latest computer technology, snowmaking operators are monitoring changes in air temperature, water pressure and wind direction. Snowmaking crews at Heavenly and Northstar are alerted instantly of these changes and are able to quickly turn on or off machines from their cell phones or computers to optimally prepare resorts for upcoming opening days.
The start of snowmaking is an exciting reminder that opening day celebrations at all three resorts, collectively known as the #TahoeTrifecta, are right around the corner. Heavenly and Northstar are scheduled to open together Friday, Nov. 22 and then Kirkwood is slated to on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Opening day details below.
Grab your Squad for First-turns and Après at Heavenly Opening Day
Heavenly will kick off the early season with a social-scene opening day celebration that carries guests from the Heavenly Village Gondola with complimentary donuts, hot chocolate and coffee in the morning to afternoon après at Tamarack Lodge and Bar 9150’ (famous for spiced-just-right Mountain Mary’s). A DJ and EMCEE will welcome guests at the base of the Heavenly Village Gondola, while a DJ CAT and live music from the “Send it Band” will seamlessly carry tunes up to the top of the mountain. Guests will have plenty of chances to win gear and swag, and then come together for the annual group opening day photo. Details at SkiHeavenly.com.
Fun for Everyone in the Village and on the Slopes at Northstar Opening Day
Elevated family fun will greet guests at Northstar California’s Opening Day, which will begin in the afternoon with a live band in the Village at Northstar. Complimentary s’mores and hot chocolate will welcome guests wishing to relax and explore the shops at Northstar after their first day on the slopes. Kids (and adults) with energy to spare can enjoy après ski face painting set to the tunes of DJ Funksalot at the Northstar Village Ice Rink, and then finish the day with a meal at Rubicon. Details at NorthstarCalifornia.com.
Fuel up and get Stoked for the Season at Kirkwood Opening Day
Early-risers can snag a burrito to eat on the lift and then drop into their winter flow at Kirkwood’s opening day. Skiers and riders can score winter swag like buffs, fanny packs and maybe even a sweet new board to shred for the 2019/2020 season. Pass holders will have the chance to sample food and beverage offerings throughout the day, and all are invited to join the GoPro group opening day photo for a verifiable record of their early season start. Kirkwood.com.
Together the three resorts, or #TahoeTrifecta, offer skiers and riders access to over 10,000 acres of unparalleled terrain with stunning views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. Resorts will remain open through April. Each resort will continue to expand and open terrain as conditions allow. Guests are encouraged to visit SkiHeavenly.com, NorthstarCalifornia.com and Kirkwood.com for updates on the start of the winter season.
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Media Note: For snowmaking photos at Heavenly, please visit our public Box site here: https://vailresorts.box.com/s/u8b6d71e29w294vqbjdri9ys0c4d4xf7 For winter photos, please visit our public Box site here: https://vailresorts.box.com/s/d1ki35auhlhgabpwj73e1lmcrirkijxj
Media Contacts: Joanna McWilliams, Jlmcwilliams@vailresorts.com, (775) 586-4461
Susan Whitman, Sswhitman@vailresorts.com, (530) 562-8036
About the #TahoeTrifecta: Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood
The #TahoeTrifecta offers skiers and riders three world-class resorts with more than 10,000 acres of terrain to explore and endless possibilities for on-mountain fun and incomparable après and dining options. All three resorts are located throughout the Lake Tahoe region, making multi-mountain ski trips accessible for travelers. Heavenly is the social Lake Tahoe mountain playground with truly inspiring beauty that spans two states (California and Nevada); Northstar is California’s relaxed luxury destination offering attentive focus on creating timeless moments and peace of mind for every guest, in a pristine setting with top-tier amenities; and Kirkwood is the California resort that provides a pure mountain escape with an authentic community of like-minded skiers and riders that make it their winter escape.
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About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. Vail Resorts’ subsidiaries operate 37 destination mountain resorts and regional 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, Falls Creek and Hotham in Australia; Stowe, Mount Snow, Okemo in Vermont; Hunter Mountain in New York; Mount Sunapee, Attitash, Wildcat and Crotched in New Hampshire; Stevens Pass in Washington; Liberty, Roundtop, Whitetail, Jack Frost and Big Boulder in Pennsylvania; Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine and Mad River in Ohio; Hidden Valley and Snow Creek in Missouri; Wilmot in Wisconsin; Afton Alps in Minnesota; Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and Paoli Peaks in Indiana. 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.
Contact(s)
Joanna McWilliams
Manager, Communications – Tahoe Region
Email: Jlmcwilliams@vailresorts.com
Phone: 775.586.4461
Susan Whitman
Communications Manager
Email: sswhitman@vailresorts.com
Phone: 5305628036