Skiers and Snowboarders Have More to Be Thankful for With the Opening of Vail’s China Bowl Today for the 2014-2015 Winter Season
- Vail has the most open terrain in North America, offering more than 3,600 acres of developed skiable terrain for Thanksgiving weekend.
VAIL, Colo. – Nov. 29, 2014 – Vail Mountain, one of the largest ski resorts in the world, continues to enjoy the gifts of Thanksgiving with the opening of its famed China Bowl today. Skiers and snowboarders now have access to more than 3,600 acres of developed skiable terrain – the most available in the country – with the opening of China Bowl along with the Sourdough Express Lift (#14), the Sun Up Lift (#17), the Orient Express Lift (#21) and the Tea Cup Express Lift (#36).
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer our Thanksgiving Weekend guests the expansive experience of China Bowl,” said Chris Jarnot, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “A big thank you to Mother Nature, Vail Ski Patrol and our mountain operations crews for the opportunity to open so much terrain so early in our season.”
Mother Nature has been especially generous this season with more than six feet of snow in the last three weeks, which allowed Vail Mountain to open more than 500 acres of terrain on opening day on Nov. 21 and quickly growing to 1,300 acres by the following Monday. By Thanksgiving, the resort was able to offer more than 2,700 acres of terrain, including the legendary Sun Up and Sun Down bowls.
With the addition of terrain in the China Bowl area, guests now have access to 3,642 developed skiable acres of terrain accessible by the following lifts:
- Gondola One
- Avanti Express Lift (#2)
- Wildwood Express Lift (#3)
- Mountain Top Express Lift (#4)
- High Noon Express Lift (#5)
- Riva Bahn Express Lift (#6)
- Game Creek Express Lift (#7)
- Born Free Express Lift (#8)
- Highline Express Lift (#10)
- Northwoods Express Lift (#11)
- Gopher Hill Lift (#12)
- Sourdough Express Lift (#14)
- Little Eagle Lift (#15)
- Sun Up Lift (#17)
- Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19)
- Cascade Village Lift (#20)
- Orient Express Lift (#21)
- Tea Cup Express Lift (#36)
All guests must observe all posted signs and closures, especially during the early season. Closed trails may contain hazards due to early snow coverage. Accessing closed terrain is a violation of the Colorado Ski Safety Act and will result in the loss of skiing privileges and could involve prosecution and a fine.
On Mountain Dining
Wildwood is open today and tomorrow, will close Monday through Thursday and will reopen for the season on Friday, Dec. 5. The Look Ma level of Mid-Vail, Buffalo’s, The Marketplace at Eagle’s Nest, the bar at Bistro Fourteen and Express Lift at Mountain Plaza in Vail Village are open for the season. The 10th is also open daily for lunch.
EpicDay Express: For the Ultimate Convenience and Savings on Lift Tickets
With the implementation of a new mobile ticket platform, guests now have the ability to purchase daily lift tickets online and on their mobile devices, in advance or up-to-the-minute before enjoying the mountain at the guaranteed lowest price – as much as 25 percent off the lead rate. In other words, bypass the normal ticket window and get on the mountain faster than ever! Existing hard card lift passes may be instantly reloaded, allowing skiers and snowboarders to head right to the lift. For guests who need a new hard card, an express lane will be available at ticket windows for added convenience.
And, lift tickets aren’t the only part of the ski trip where guests can benefit from booking in advance. Guests are now also guaranteed the lowest price, and best availability, when booking ski and snowboard lessons online, at least 48 hours in advance with the Vail Ski & Snowboard School. Specialty lesson products and offerings this season include 2015 World Championship lesson experiences, a new Women’s Ultimate 4 lesson, and the return of the popular Ski Girls Rock program. For more information or to book, call (970) 754-4300 or visit www.vail.com/lessons.
Kick-Off Winter with Snow, Après, and Free Concerts at Vail Snow Daze Dec. 12-14 & 19-21
Early season also brings the resort’s signature event – Snow Daze! Not long after the annual start of the ski and snowboard season, Snow Daze, offers visitors the ultimate winter kick-off party. Spend the day on the mountain, après at parties throughout the village, and wrap up the night with free concerts! This year’s lineup features live entertainment from Lukas Nelson & P.O.T.R., The Wallflowers, 10,000 Maniacs and Rusted Root. For more information, visit www.vail.com/snowdaze.
Enjoy Early Season and Off-Peak Pursuits at Vail this Winter!
Dreaming of the mountain to yourself now? Come experience everything Vail Mountain and Vail Village have to offer during early season and off-peak time periods this winter and receive the BEST rates of the season. Plus, book two or more nights at The Lodge at Vail or The Arrabelle at Vail Square and receive up to $150 mountain money to use towards lift tickets, rentals, shopping, dining and more. The longer you stay, the more you receive!
For more information about Vail Mountain visit www.vail.com, or stop by the Mountain Information Center, 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.
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.
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.
Contact(s)