- Operations will not be streamlined as much as anticipated for the final week of the season.
VAIL, Colo. – April 5, 2012 – Due to great spring conditions, Vail Mountain, the largest ski resortin the United States,will keep more terrain open than originally planned for the final week of its 50th anniversary ski and snowboard season. Terrain and operations are usually streamlined significantly for the final week of the season due to snow conditions and limited guest volumes. This year, more than 4,600 acres of skiable terrain will remain available, including Blue Sky Basin as well as China, Tea Cup, Sun Down, Sun Up and Game Creek bowls and virtually the entire front-side of Vail Mountain through Sunday, April 14.
“After the conditions we experienced last season and the first half of this one, we felt it would be a shame to close down terrain as we typically would with the great snow we still have on the mountain,” said Chris Jarnot, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “Keeping virtually the entire mountain open is an enormous thank you to our passholders for a great season.”
The majority of lifts on Vail’s front side will continue to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Back Bowls will close at 3:30 p.m. Lift operating hours are posted at the base of all open lifts and guests are advised to check mountain terrain and lift status reports on www.vail.comor the mobile site, http://m.vail.comfor most up-to-date information.
Beginning Monday, April 8, the following lifts are expected to operate for the remainder of the season:
- Gondola One;
- Eagle Bahn Gondola;
- Avanti Express Lift (#2);
- Wildwood Express Lift (# 3);
- Mountaintop 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);
- Orient Express Lift (#21);
- Tea Cup Express Lift (#36);
- Skyline Express Lift (#37); and
- Pete’s Express Lift (#39).
The Cascade Lift (#20) out of Cascade Village, the Pride Express Lift (#26) in Lionshead, the Mongolia Lift (#22) and the Earl’s Express (#38) will be closed beginning Monday, April 8.
Adventure Ridge will be open for afternoon and evening operations through Saturday, April 6 via the Eagle Bahn Gondola; Adventure Ridge will be closed for the season beginning Sunday, April 7. EpicMix Racing will be offered through Sunday, April 7.
Spring conditions exist and skiers and snowboarders must continue to obey posted closures and observe the Colorado Ski Safety Act and Your Responsibility Code for their safety and the safety of other guests. All on-mountain closures and schedule modifications are subject to change based on snow and weather conditions.
Vail Ski & Snowboard School
The Vail Ski & Snowboard School will continue to operate from its Vail Village and Lionshead locations through Sunday, April 14. The Golden Peak Children’s and Adults School will be open through Sunday, April 7; the Small World Nursery in Golden Peak will remain open through Sunday, April 14.
On-Mountain Dining
The 10th, Game Creek Restaurant and Bistro Fourteen will offer dinner service through Saturday, April 6. The Dawg Haus and Belle’s Camp in Blue Sky Basin, Wildwood, the Terrace level of Mid-Vail, the Golden Peak Grill and the Grand Press at Eagle’s Nest will be open for normal operations through Sunday, April 7 before closing for the season.
Daytime dining at The 10th, Two Elk, Buffalo’s, the Look Ma level of Mid-Vail, the Marketplace at Eagle’s Nest and Express Lift at Mountain Plaza will be available to skiers and snowboarders through closing day, Sunday, April 14.
Spring Back to Vail
Spring Back to Vail returns April 8 through 14 with free concerts from national headliners, on-snow events, street parties and more. Don’t miss performances by O.A.R, Sublime with Rome, and Jimmy Cliff. The annual World Pond Skimming Championships also returns on Sunday, April 14 in Golden Peak. For the complete schedule of events and pond skimming registration, visit www.vail.com/springback.
For more information about Vail Mountain visit www.vail.comor stop by the Mountain Information Center, open daily from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).
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Celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout the 2012-2013 season and coveted as the largest ski resort in the United States with more than 5,200 acres of skiable terrain and seven legendary Back Bowls spanning seven miles, Vail is an extraordinary winter vacation destination. Under blue skies more than 300 days each year and with more groomed terrain than anywhere on the planet, families reconnect and celebrate here from year to year and generation to generation. The vacation experience is world class, from the Vail Ski & Snowboard School to the events, activities and festivals, the 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 can still credibly lay claim to being a resort like nothing on earth www.vail.com.
About Vail Resorts
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; 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.