Press Kit

Media Contacts: Lee Nielsen, lee.v.nielsen@vailresorts.com | Michelle Dallal, michelle.dallal@vailresorts.com  

Under blue skies more than 300 days a year, Vail is the world’s premier mountain destination. This year-round mountain escape delivers a superior, seamless experience for every guest. From the majestic sweep of the surrounding Gore and Sawatch Ranges to the world-class events, shops, spas, culinary offerings and luxurious accommodations that line the vibrant, pedestrian-friendly streets of Vail and Lionshead Villages, Vail defines premium destination travel. Vail Mountain, Colorado’s largest resort, offers more than 5,300 acres of developed ski and snowboard terrain, including seven limitless Back Bowls in winter. Coupled with the enduring spirit of innovation and a timeless pursuit of excellence in all aspects of guest service and operations, Vail is like nothing on earth. 

VAIL: Redefining how sport, culture and travel converge 

NEW! With an innovative and expanding lineup of high-alpine music and cultural experiences, Vail is redefining how sport, culture and travel converge. This season, the world's premier mountain destination transforms into the world’s premier alpine stage featuring live performances from globally recognized artists like Sofi Tukker, alongside additional top names and emerging talent. With more than 50 music events across the mountain and throughout the villages, guests can expect a dynamic blend of sound, scenery and sport that redefines winter travel in a setting that is truly like nothing on earth. Stay tuned for additional announcements throughout the season on top artists coming to Vail! 

Headline Performances with More Announced Closer to Winter 

• Sofi Tukker @ Ford Park (December 13): This winter, Vail transforms into a high-altitude haven for music lovers. Discover Vail, Vail Resorts, AEG Presents, and the Vail Valley Foundation have teamed up to fill the mountains with music starting this December 13, with GRAMMY-nominated music duo Sofi Tukker at Ford Park! Vail is uniting snow, sound, and spectacle in the heart of the Rockies. More information, here. 

• Stoke Sessions (November 14 – December 5): Live Music every Friday for the first month of the ski season in Vail Village! Each week offers a unique soundtrack to your mountain nights, so bundle up, sip something warm, and celebrate the season with community, culture, and the joy of live music. Emerging talent such as Blu DeTiger, Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, The Runaway Groms, and American Authors. For more information, see here. 

• Dillon Francis @ Chasing Rabbits (January 9): Francis began gaining attention in the EDM scene around 2010, collaborating with notable artists and contributing to the rise of moombahton—a fusion of house music and reggaeton. His debut album, “Money Sucks, Friends Rule,” released in 2014, reached number two on the U.S. Dance chart. More information, here. 

• Chasing Rabbits x AM Radio (February 21): The Chasing Rabbits collaboration with AM Radio is sure to make some noise. Last year, the free outdoor show in Solaris Plaza featured artists Surf Mesa, Justin Jay, and Emmitt Fenn. Since then, AM Radio has only grown their national reach, hosting shows in LA, Miami, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago, and Austin. With the tagline Club Culture is Dead, AM Radio promotes a healthier daytime rave for people that want to experience the same club culture in a different environment. This event will be a free event at Solaris Plaza, followed by an afterparty inside of Chasing Rabbits. 

• Après in Solaris Plaza (February 14 – March 28): Ever Saturday from 3-6 p.m., the heart of Vail Village comes alive with free live DJ performances at Solaris Plaza. This year’s series will feature co-promoted events with AM Radio and Raw Cuts. Main-stage caliber acts including Mindchatter, Surf Mesa, Justin Jay, Emmit Fenn, Laszewo, TEED, Sunday Scaries, Très Mortimer and closing a season of amazing music is Vandelux. Running for seven consecutive weeks, the series brings an electric apres vibe to the village and builds excitement leading into the season’s biggest music events. 

• Après at the Amp @ Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater (April 10 & 11): Following three successful years of Après at The Amp at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the event returns featuring an amazing line up. Stay tuned here for additional information and artist announcements.  

Pop-Up Mountaintop Music 

Vail Mountain joins the season-long festival atmosphere with exclusive pop-up performances by top-tier artists. Building on the success of last season’s lineup of surprise sets, legendary venues like Eagle’s Nest Rooftop and Talon’s Deck will host intimate and energetic performances throughout the winter. These pop-up shows offer guests a rare opportunity to experience world-class music in a truly unforgettable alpine setting. Guests should stay tuned to Vail Mountain’s social media for special announcements all winter long. In addition, stay tuned for a surprise on-mountain DJ set in collaboration with AM Radio. 

Pop-Up Mountaintop Music redefines what it means to be “exclusive.” These intimate performances offer free, one-of-a-kind access to a limited few, where the only price of entry is being here, and being in the know.  

Vibrant Villages Vibrate with Music 

• Après All Day at Express Lift: Starting on opening day, Express Lift at the base of Gondola One brings over 30 musicians to double last year’s Après All Day, featuring live DJs on Saturdays and Sundays. These events are in collaboration with Vail Mountain’s partners Pepsi and Lalo Tequila. Learn more here. 

• Dance your way through the village: Guests will be surprised and energized as impromptu dance parties unfold at bars and restaurants across Vail’s villages. From live bands to live DJs at restaurants like Treff Cafe to the disco ball at Two Arrows, guests should always be ready for the beat to drop. Phil Long, a local legend, will regularly perform at Vail Chophouse, and Johnny Schleper will make regular live appearances at Vail’s classic après spot, The Red Lion. Vail’s lodging properties also turn into live music hot spots with Cucina at The Lodge at Vail, Tavern at The Arrabelle, and Gambit Bar at The Sebastian featuring regular live music throughout the season. 

• From the Underground to the Unconventional: Quite literally below the streets of Vail, Shakedown Bar is a 198-person live music venue that delivers a musical experience you won’t soon forget. With a cutting-edge sound and lighting system with full studio recording capabilities, visitors should venture below ground for an excellent live music experience. New to the scene, Chasing Rabbits represents the next step forward in entertainment. Immerse yourself in Vail’s most unique nightlife scene with a full schedule of music events, including world-renowned DJs. 

• Chasing Rabbits will host multiple well-known artists throughout the season, bringing the music alive throughout the village and late into the night. Artists include Dillon Francis (Jan 9), Sidepiece (Jan 31), Chris Lorenzo (Feb 6), and many more. See here for their full event schedule. 

Vail Mountain Ski and Snowboard School – An Unparalleled Learning Experience 

• NEW! Starting this December, Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Resort, Keystone Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort will be launching a new technology in the My Epic app that takes Ski and Ride School to the next level. With innovative new features, parents and students can easily check in for lessons, receive real-time updates and photos, track progress, and celebrate milestones and skills with digital badges, all from the convenience of their phone. 

• Kids Adventure Zones: Vail Mountain’s dedicated learning terrain invites young adventurers to explore the mountain through interactive, on-snow scavenger hunts while building confidence on skis and snowboards. With 13 immersive Adventure Zones and 7 ske-cology trails highlighting native wildlife, these experiences blend education, play, and alpine wonder, creating unforgettable moments for the next generation of legendary mountain explorers. 

• All-Terrain Program: Vail Mountain Ski & Snowboard School continues to lead the industry in youth development programs. The All Terrain Program (ATP) is an innovative, challenge-based experience designed to help kids build skills while exploring Vail Mountain’s 5,317 acres of prepared terrain. Participants are grouped by age and ability, then guided through a dynamic ATP Challenge tailored to their interests and the day’s conditions. Each adventure concludes with commemorative prizes, celebrating progress, confidence, and a deeper connection to the mountain. 

• Green Run Guarantee: For adults learning to ski and snowboard, Vail Mountain Ski & Snowboard School offers a value-packed learning experience designed to build confidence from day one. With three lessons for the price of two, including lift access and rentals, guests work towards making turns on green terrain. And if they’re not quite there by the third lesson, the next one is on us, because progress should never come with pressure. 

• Adaptive Programs: Vail Mountain Ski & Snowboard School is proud to offer adaptive lessons tailored to individuals with cognitive, visual, and physical disabilities across skiing, snowboarding, and snow biking. Renowned for its team of full-time professional instructors specializing in adaptive snow sports, Vail Mountain delivers an inclusive, world-class experience that empowers every guest to explore the mountain with confidence and joy. 

Elevated Food & Beverage 

• NEW! Signature dining items invite guests to enjoy a bit of classic nostalgia and Dolce Vida. These perfect pairings are well suited when guests invite a friend to enjoy a day on the slopes with Epic Friends Tickets.  

• The Two Martini Lunch @ The 10th: Yesteryear is calling, and Vail Mountain invites you and a friend to enjoy the lost art of the long lunch. Enjoy an oversized Caesar Salad, Truffle Fries and Martinis for two. 

• The Alpine Duet @ The Two Elk Biergarten: It’s Oktoberfest all year long with this new celebratory special for two. Enjoy two beers, two brats and a shared dessert in a festive setting in the Biergarten. 

• Updates @ Mid Vail: Make sure to stop inside Mid Vail for revamped classics including pizza, poke bowls, salads, burgers, pasta and dessert. Then take your meal outside to the newly reimagined sun terrace, inspired by Europe’s alpine cafes, where sling chairs, umbrellas and mountain views invite you to linger a little longer.  

• The 10th Restaurant at Mid Vail: At The 10th, skiers, riders, and foot passengers can enjoy thoughtfully crafted menus and amazing views of the Gore Range with a nod to Vail Mountain’s founders and the 10th Mountain Division. This upscale dining outlet is known for its decadent mountain cuisine, elevated cocktails, and refined hospitality. The 10th will also have a DJ playing on the back patio on February 28 and March 1.  

• Powerline Pub at Mid Vail: Powerline Pub at Mid Vail (top of Gondola One) is the on-mountain hangout spot to meet friends, both new and old. Catch a game, enjoy refreshing après cocktails, and grab a bite to eat in a space that pays homage to the history of Vail. Named after a past unofficial, ungroomed line for experts that cut through the trees for power poles, Powerline Pub is located next to Gondola One for easy upload and download, and is accessible by foot.  

• Avanti F&B Vail: Vail Mountain and Avanti Food & Beverage celebrate a second year of partnership in the Golden Peak base area. This winter, the food hall will feature live music, events, specialty cocktails, and more.  

• Two Elk Biergarten & Stein Club: Located in the separated rear portion of Two Elk, the Biergarten will serve beers on tap, bratwurst, pretzels and more, in a Bavarian-inspired setting. On a first-come, first-served, while-supplies-last basis, guests can join the Two Elk Biergarten Stein Club. Stein Club members will have their own dedicated and commemorative stein at the Two Elk Biergarten, which will earn discounts all season long.  

Explore More 

• Milestone Pins: The Vail Mountain Milestone pins return! Vail Mountain celebrates dedicated skiers and riders for getting 25, 50, 75 and 100 days on snow. After guests hit their milestone day, visit any ticket window to claim a commemorative pin and join the club.   

• Free Guided Mountain Tours: Departing daily, Vail’s Mountain Tours are led by some of the valley’s most passionate historians. All frontside tours start at the top of Eagle’s Nest—join them as they ski around the mountain, sharing stories and showcasing the pioneering spirit of Vail. All other tours depart from the Legacy Hut, and include Back Bowl, Women’s, and Legacy tours. The Legacy Hut is Vail Mountain’s own on-mountain museum, stop by to pick up postcards and learn about Vail’s legacy. 

• FREE Vail Mail: Stop inside the Legacy Hut for FREE postcards featuring photography of Vail Mountain’s Legendary Back Bowls and send off commemorative well wishes from 11,250 feet. Postcards and postage are courtesy of Vail Mountain and can be mailed from the highest mailbox in Vail.   

• Dine with the Dogs at Buffalo’s: Dine with the Dogs is back December 13 and February 21 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.! Guests will experience a unique encounter with Vail Mountain’s heroic avalanche dogs. Meet these train professionals, enjoy complimentary hot dogs, and explore premium Helly Hansen gear—perfect for any mountain adventure. 

Experience it All on the Epic Pass 

• NEW! Now offering Epic Friend Tickets: Season Pass Holders will receive 6-10 Epic Friend Tickets, depending on when they purchase their Pass. Epic Friend Tickets provide 50% off lift tickets at the company's 37 North American resorts for the 2025/26 winter season. In addition, friends can apply 100% of the cost of one redeemed Epic Friend Ticket toward an eligible 2026/27 Epic Pass. Just like the Epic Pass, Epic Friend Tickets can be purchased through EpicPass.com and then activated in the My Epic app for direct-to-lift access, cutting out the need to stand in line at the ticket window. 

• Epic Pass Access: Skiers and riders should explore all 2025/26 Epic Pass offerings including the Military Pass, the College Pass, and the Epic Day Pass, for wide-ranging options to access Vail Mountain. On top of the best value to access Vail Mountain, Epic Mountain Rewards offers pass holders the best ski trip deals, including 20 percent off on-mountain dining, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more at Vail Resorts’ 40 North American owned and operated resorts.  

Easy Access from Eagle Airport (EGE)  

• NEW! Expanded Flight Options: Eagle County Regional Airport provides non-stop flights from 20 major markets, which makes getting to Vail and Beaver Creek easy no matter when visiting. This season includes direct flights from Seattle and Southern California and NEW this winter there will be direct flights from Washington/Dulles, New York (JFK), Charlotte and more. One-stop connections are available from over 250 cities worldwide, making EGE the number one choice for frequent visitors to Vail and Beaver Creek. Eagle County Regional Airport is located just 30 minutes from Vail and Beaver Creek. For more information and current flight schedules visit www.flyvail.com   

Vail Mountain Facts 

• SNOWMAKING: Snowmaking requires a combination of compressed air, compressed water, fan and stick guns, and weather! Vail Mountain has over 2,020 snowmaking hydrants and 674 snow guns (not including ground sleds). Here are some Vail Mountain snowmaking stats: 

• 84 Miles of Snowmaking Pipe: More than 6x the length of New York’s Manhattan 

• 620+ Acres of Snowmaking: More than 2x the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. 

• The system’s Pump Capacity can fill an Olympic-size swimming pool every 26 minutes  

• The system’s Compressed Air Capacity can fill the Goodyear blimp in 12 minutes  

• Since the snowmaking expansion in 2019, Vail Mountain has made enough snow to fill the Dallas Cowboys Stadium from the turf to the roof 

• GROOMING: Vail Mountain’s grooming team executes an incredible feat each season. Moving snow and perfecting the snow surface across Vail Mountain’s vast terrain is a massive undertaking. Here are some Vail Mountain grooming stats: 

• During any given season, Vail Mountain grooming drives enough mileage to circle the earth almost seven times 

• Each night, Vail Mountain grooms the equivalent of 1,288 American football fields 

• Each night, Vail Mountain grooms more terrain than the total acreage of the 30 smallest sister resorts 

• Annually, Vail Mountain grooms a total amount of terrain roughly the size of Oahu, HI 

For more story ideas, facts and figures, and the latest news on Vail, visit Vail Resorts Newsroom. 

Images and b-roll for editorial use only can be found here. Please credit the photographer listed under “owner” and Vail Resorts in a visible location near the image.