The world’s largest ski resorts operator, Vail Resorts, is readying for the start of the ski season – expected to be within the next week for its Keystone resort in Colorado if possible.
Then the resorts will be opening thick and fast through November and into December.
Amongst the resort opening dates announced so far, some of the big names have these dates planned to start their lifts spinning
- November 8: Breckenridge (CO)
- November 15: Vail Mountain (CO)
- November 16: Andermatt-Sedrun, and Crans Montana (Switzerland)
- November 22: Whistler Blackcomb (BC), Heavenly (CA), Northstar (CA), Park City Mountain (UT)
- November 27: Beaver Creek (CO), Crested Butte (CO)
- December 6: Kirkwood (CA), Stevens Pass (WA)
Vail Resorts also have lots of news for the upcoming season:
EPIC PASS
This winter will mark the first season that Crans-Montana Mountain Resort is on the Epic Pass, joining other renowned European resorts including Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis, plus partner access to Verbier4Vallées in Switzerland, Les 3 Vallées in France, Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy, and Ski Arlberg in Austria. Skiers and riders who purchase an Epic Pass will be able to visit any, or all, of these resorts without having to purchase additional lift tickets (total number of days of access vary across some resorts). Purchase an Epic Pass before they go off sale for the season. On top of the best value to access world-class resorts like Whistler Blackcomb, Vail Mountain and Breckenridge, 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.
EVENTS
New Zealand’s team ready for Invictus Games.
- Whistler Blackcomb – Invictus Games (February)
- Over 500 competitors from over 20 nations will compete in adaptive sports for this first-ever winter edition and will feature Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding.
- Vail Mountain – Tiesto Concert (December)
- Electronic music superstar Tiësto is set to perform in Vail on Friday, December 13 as a headline to the music offerings during the Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS World Cup festivities in Beaver Creek. Tiësto’s distinct style of trance and progressive house music highlights a festive entertainment lineup during historic back-to-back World Cup weekends.
- Breckenridge – Ullr Festival (December)
- Beaver Creek – Birds of Prey Womens World Cup Races (December)
- It’s official! Men’s and women’s Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races will be held on the famed Birds of Prey course in Beaver Creek on back-to-back weekends for the first time ever this December. Racing will be paired with a multi-day festival including concerts, family activities, the Beers of Prey beer tasting, athlete celebrations, and more.
- Keystone – National Brotherhood of Skiers Summit
- Park City Mountain – Winter Olympics (2034)
ENHANCING THE GUEST EXPERIENCE
Over the last ten years, Vail Resorts has invested over $2 billion into the guest and employee experience at its mountain resorts in North America, Australia and Switzerland. In North America, that has included about 30 lift upgrades over the past five winter seasons to help skiers and snowboarders maximize their time on the mountain, as well as technology innovations that support a seamless experience.
My Epic Gear – New this winter, My Epic Gear is designed for the whole family across 12 North American resorts and eliminates the hassle of traveling to the mountain with gear. Guests can expect luxury slopeside valet service coupled with more than 60 of the most popular and latest ski and snowboard models. The entire membership experience, from gear selection to personalized expert recommendations to delivery, is available at members’ fingertips in the My Epic app. Memberships are limited for the 2024/25 winter season and on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Lift Upgrades – Whistler Blackcomb’s Jersey Cream Express has been upgraded from a 4-person chair to a 6-person chair. Construction is in the final stages with completion targeted in time for Opening Day. This new lift will significantly reduce wait times, improve circulation on-mountain, and increase uphill capacity to the popular Glacier Creek Zone on Blackcomb Mountain.
My Epic Assistant – New this winter, the My Epic App will offer My Epic Assistant to answer questions and provide mountain information at guests fingertips – anytime, anywhere. Powered by advanced AI and resort experts, My Epic Assistant will be available for the 2024/25 season to answer questions about Beaver Creek, Vail Mountain, Breckenridge and Keystone. Vail Resorts plans to expand the technology to additional resorts in future seasons.
New Base Area planned for Vail Mountain – The Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, and East West Partners recently announced a partnership to develop the West Lionshead area into a fourth base village at Vail Mountain, the world’s premier alpine destination. The new base village, planned in the location formerly designated for the Ever Vail project, will reinforce Vail Mountain’s status as a world-class destination, and is anticipated to feature access to the resort’s 5,317 acres of legendary terrain, plus new lodging, restaurants, boutiques, and skier services, as well as community benefits such as workforce housing, public spaces, transit, and parking. More here.
CULINARY
Avanti Vail – Coming in 2025 Vail Mountain and Avanti Food & Beverage are teaming up to create a new food hall in the Golden Peak base area, opening early 2025. Known for its modern food hall concept, Avanti operates in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood and on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall. Avanti Vail will bring a fresh culinary concept to Golden Peak, reinventing the space previously occupied by Larkspur Restaurant. This investment will reinvigorate Golden Peak, offering a diverse range of dining options at affordable prices, with a focus on showcasing local chefs and restaurateurs. Read more here.
Winemaker Lunch Series at Whistler Blackcomb – returning for its second year.
Winter Culinary Weekends at Beaver Creek – stay tuned for more details.
MICHELIN – Beaver Creek and Vail are included in the illustrious MICHELIN Guide Colorado, which were announced last winter.
SKI & RIDE PROGRAMS
Women’s Weekends, First Fridays, and More programs designed for women will be launched across Whistler Blackcomb, Northstar and Park City Mountain. At Whistler Blackcomb a few options include:
- The Helly Hansen Women’s Ski Camp—two days of skiing instruction with a variety of options for first-timers, beginners and advanced skiers. Your instructors will assess your ability and help place you at the right skill level to ensure you feel comfortable.
- Showcase Women’s Snowboard Camps—expand your access to terrain, meet new people and grow your love of snowboarding in this two-day intensive.
Green Run Guarantee – For adults learning to ski and snowboard, Vail Mountain Ski and Snowboard School offers value packages inclusive of lift and rentals. Trying a new sport has never been easier. Get three lessons for the price of two, with the goal of being able to make turns on a green run. If guests aren’t able to complete their turns by the third lesson, the next lesson is complimentary.
All-Terrain Program – Vail Mountain Ski and Snowboard School is bringing back themed days for kids with the All Terrain Program (ATP). Kids will meet others their age and ability level and spend the day completing an ATP Challenge—a fun way to explore Vail’s 5,317 skiable acres with a world-class guide. Every day at ATP is unique and challenges vary based on participants’ interests and weather conditions. The day concludes with prizes to commemorate their experience and completion of the ATP Challenge.
NEW LODGING
Last season, Keystone Resort transformed its on-mountain ski and ride experience by adding more than 550 acres of lift-served terrain with the debut of the Bergman Express lift. Now, Keystone’s River Run Village is undergoing a transformation of its own with the highly anticipated debut of Keystone’s premier luxury development Kindred Resort. Kindred will feature ski-in, ski-out residences along with a Rock Resorts-branded hotel. This amenity-rich resort will include unique features new to Keystone like valet parking and valet ski and bike storage, plus an exclusive pool and hot tub facility with unobstructed mountain views, new restaurants, and a full-service spa. The family-friendly Kindred Resort will also be the new home for the Keystone Ski & Ride School and resort retail and rental shop.
FAMILY
Easy on the wallet, easy on the rules, easy to get on the mountain! Keystone’s long-standing Kids Ski Free program has been providing kids with free lift tickets since 2012. Kids 12 and younger ski for free at Keystone with no blackout dates when families book just two or more nights through Keystone Resort. Lodging accommodation options span from affordable hotel rooms to family-sized condominiums. Book your lodging through KeystoneResort.com for all of the details!
Hawk’s Nest Cabin at Beaver Creek is the Cabin with an Edge. This is a custom-designed retreat for teenage guests, with opportunities for older kids to enjoy the space as well. At Hawk’s Nest Cabin, you can be yourself in the coolest club for the under-18 crowd, with a modern alpine-cabin vibe all its own. Featuring custom, one-of-a-kind decor, craft non-alcoholic beverages, music, interactive technology, arcade and table games, a ski simulator, lounge spots, plenty of charging stations, opportunities for legendary selfies and a whole lot more.
