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Vail announces opening dates; No reservations required, for now

Staff Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Vail Resorts on Thursday announced opening dates for its 34 North American resorts and also that reservation will not be required to access the mountains.

Vail’s season will kickoff in Colorado in October when officials hope to open Keystone weather permitting.

A few weeks later Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California will open on Friday, Nov 19. Kirkwood Mountain Resort is scheduled to open Dec. 3.



Heavenly Mountain Resort along with Northstar California will open for the season on Nov. 19. MIke Peron / Tahoe Daily Tribune

“We are thrilled to welcome guests back this season for a fantastic winter of outdoor fun across our portfolio of resorts,” said James O’Donnell, president of the mountain division of Vail Resorts. “As always, our goal is to provide a safe and memorable experience of a lifetime for our guests and employees, and to do everything we can to provide incredible skiing and riding all season long.”

Rockies and West planned opening dates, which are subject to change:



October: Keystone (CO) – as early as possible, as weather and conditions permit

Nov. 12: Breckenridge (CO), Vail (CO)

Nov. 19: Heavenly (CA), Northstar (CA), Park City (UT)

Nov. 24: Beaver Creek (CO), Crested Butte (CO)

Nov. 25: Whistler Blackcomb (Canada)

Dec. 3: Kirkwood (CA), Stevens Pass (WA)

East planned opening dates, which are subject to change:

Nov. 19: Afton Alps (MN), Hunter (NY), Mt. Snow (VT), Stowe (VT), Wildcat (NH)

Nov. 20: Okemo (VT)

Nov. 24: Mt. Sunapee (NH)

Dec. 3: Attitash (NH), Crotched (NH), Jack Frost (PA), Mt. Brighton (MI), Wilmot (WI)

Dec. 17: Big Boulder (PA), Liberty (PA), Roundtop (PA), Whitetail (PA)

Dec. 18: Alpine Valley (OH), Boston Mills and Brandywine (OH), Hidden Valley (MO), Mad River (OH), Paoli Peaks (IN), Snow Creek (MO)

Vail Resorts prioritizes the health and safety of its guests, employees and communities and will continue to monitor public health guidance surrounding COVID-19. Details of any necessary safety protocols will be communicated ahead of the season as the situation continues to evolve. At this time, Vail Resorts does not plan to have a mountain access reservation system.

As the winter season draws near, so does the last chance for skiers and riders to get the lowest price on the entire suite of 2021/22 Epic Pass products, which saw a major price reduction of 20 percent this year. Labor Day is the last day to get an Epic Pass, Epic Day Pass or any pass option at the lowest price this year – unlocking access to resorts across the Northeast, Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest, including Whistler Blackcomb, which is now open to fully vaccinated Americans.

Skiers and riders can get the best ski and snowboard pass deal by purchasing a pass before prices go up after Sept. 6.

Epic Day Pass is the best option for anyone who plans to hit the slopes only one to seven days next season. With Epic Day Pass, guests can visit premier resorts like Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb for as low as $87 for one day, with discounts increasing as more days are purchased, and – a new option this year – resorts like Keystone, Heavenly and Stowe for as low as $67 for one day.

In addition to reducing the cost of accessing the mountains, Epic Pass products provide significant savings on the rest of the mountain experience. 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’ 34 North American owned and operated resorts. All passes also include the Epic Coverage refund policy at no additional cost, providing refunds for certain resort closures and personal events such as job loss, injury or illness.

 


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