Vail Resorts to Open Keystone and Breckenridge

Favorable overnight temperatures, a great dump of snow and a successful few weeks of snowmaking in Summit County will allow Keystone and Breckenridge Ski Resorts to open for the 2016-2017 winter season on Friday, Nov. 18 at Keystone and Saturday, Nov. 19 for Breckenridge respectively. Vail Mountain, originally slated to open Friday, Nov. 18, has set a new opening day of Friday, Nov. 25. Beaver Creek Resort is still scheduled for a Wednesday, Nov. 23 opening day, conditions permitting.

 

“We’re thrilled to open for skiing and riding this Friday,” said Mike Goar, vice president and chief operating officer for Keystone Resort. “I’m incredibly proud of everything the resort teams have been able to accomplish to prepare the two mountains for our guests. We’re all ready to welcome winter!”

“Both Breckenridge and Keystone will continue to make snow at every opportunity as weather allows in order to provide guests the best on-snow experience possible,” said John Buhler, vice president and chief operating officer for Breckenridge. “We can’t wait to greet our guests at both mountains this week and carve those first turns of the season.”

With most of November producing favorable overnight temperatures for snowmaking, the weather forecast on the horizon only gets better according to OpenSnow.com meteorologist Sam Collentine. “On Thursday morning and into early Thursday afternoon, we will likely see the strongest cold front of the season,” said Collentine. “Overall, expect a full return to winter on Thursday and Friday.”

“We’re looking forward to a shift in the weather pattern this week to assist with resort snowmaking efforts and to another great winter season ahead,” said Chris Jarnot, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Vail Mountain. “We saw a very similar start to the 2007-2008 season, and the resort went on to receive more than 100 inches of snow by Dec. 12, contributing to a well-above-average snow year.”

Skiers and snowboarders will very soon enjoy all four world-class Colorado resorts, and in the meantime, guests can look forward to getting in their first turns of the season at Keystone on Friday, Nov. 18 and Breckenridge on Saturday, Nov. 19.

At Keystone, lifts will begin turning at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Friday). Skiers and snowboarders will have access to the River Run Gondola and Montezuma Express Lift to enjoy terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, with skiing and riding access from the top of Dercum Mountain to the bottom of the Montezuma Express Lift. When done skiing and riding for the day guests will download to the base area on the River Run Gondola.

While preparing for the first turns of the season on Friday morning, guests will be treated to donut holes from Keystone’s executive pastry chef Ned Archibald, as well as hot chocolate and coffee at the base of River Run Gondola.A limited number of giveaways such as reusable water bottles and Starbucks gift cards will be available, as well as several raffle prizes, including GoPro Hero4 cameras and Smartwool socks. For more information on opening day visit KeystoneResort.com.

Breckenridge will follow with its opening at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19. Colorado SuperChair will offer access to skiing and snowboarding on Peak 8. Complimentary French Toast Sticks will be provided to guests from Ski Hill Grill, while supplies last and DJ DC will be spinning music at the base of Colorado SuperChair. The free BreckConnect Gondola will be running from town with complimentary parking on both Saturday and Sunday at the North and South Gondola lots. For more information on Breck’s opening day festivities and terrain, visit www.Breckenridge.com.

Both Keystone and Breckenridge mountain operations teams will continue to work towards new terrain openings as soon as possible, and all four Colorado resorts will be taking advantage of any and all opportunities to make snow in order to provide the best conditions possible for guests.

Vail Resorts requires all skiers and riders to observe all posted signs and warnings. Closed trails may contain hazards due to limited natural snow coverage and snowmaking operations. Please keep off closed trails and out of closed areas for safety reasons.

Ski Like a Local, No Matter Your Zip Code
Priced at $649, the Epic Local Pass pays for itself in only four days, and includes unlimited and unrestricted skiing or riding at Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and a total of 10 holiday-restricted days at Vail and Beaver Creek, plus unlimited access with a few holiday restrictions at Park City in Utah, and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at Lake Tahoe. Now with five free days at Whistler Blackcomb for the 2016-2017 season with holiday restrictions. The deadline to purchase a season pass is Sunday, Nov. 20.

Get your pass now before it is too late and get ready to head out the door for the start of the ski and ride season at Vail Resorts!

~MTN Town Magazine

We are Colorado’s Mountain Town Magazine sending healing, joyful vibes to #NateStrong 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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