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Snowmaking begins in Tahoe, Opening Days set for Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood
•Heavenly and Northstar began making snow yesterday using the largest snowmaking system on the West Coast of the United States. Kirkwood will follow later this week.
•Heavenly and Northstar are set to open on Nov. 20, Kirkwood is set to open on Dec. 4, weather and conditions permitting.
•Reservations are required to access the mountain this season, details at EpicPass.com
•Photos available for media use. For snowmaking photos of Heavenly, please click here. For snowmaking photos at Northstar, please click here.
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TAHOE, Calif. — Oct. 26, 2020 – 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 2020-21 winter season.

Heavenly and Northstar turned on their snowmaking machines on Sunday, activating the largest snowmaking system on the West Coast of the United States. Kirkwood’s sophisticated snowmaking systems are set to kick ilater this week, 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 trn on or off machines from their cell phones or computers to optimally prepare resorts for upcoming opening days. 

The start of snowmaking is a reminder that opening day at all three resorts, collectively known as the #TahoeTrifecta, are right around the corner. Heavenly and Northstar are scheduled to open together Friday, Nov. 20 and then Kirkwood is slated to open on Friday, Dec. 4 

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. 

Access to the mountains will be managed through an online reservation system to ensure guests have the space they need. Additionally, face coverings and physical distancing will be required. 

More details below:  

A letter from CEO Rob Katz on our approach to winter

Pass holder reservation details

Latest updates on about the upcoming winter season at Heavenly   

Guests are encouraged to visit SkiHeavenly.comNorthstarCalifornia.com and Kirkwood.com for updates on our approach to safety and on the start of the winter season. 

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Media Note: For snowmaking photos at Heavenly, please visit here. (Photo Credit: Bryan Hickman, Heavenly Mountain Resort) 

For snowmaking photos at Northstar, please visit here(Photo Credit: Colin LygrenNorthstar California Resort) 

Media Contacts: Russell Carlton, rcarlton@vailresorts.comJoanna McWilliams, Jlmcwilliams@vailresorts.comSusan Whitman, Sswhitman@vailresorts.com 

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. 

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. 

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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)

Russell Carlton

Senior Manager, Communication

Email: rcarlton@vailresorts.com

Phone: 775.586.4461


Joanna McWilliams

Manager, Communications  – Tahoe Region

Email: Jlmcwilliams@vailresorts.com

Phone: 775.586.4461


Susan Whitman

Communications Manager

Email: sswhitman@vailresorts.com

Phone: 5305628036

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