Skiers and snowboarders have even more to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday at Vail Mountain, one of the largest ski resorts in the world, as the resort opened the High Noon Express Lift (#5) today, providing access to the terrain of its legendary Sun Up and Sun Down bowls.
Vail received more than 30 inches of snow since Saturday, and more than six feet in the past three weeks, making for fantastic conditions across the mountain.
“We have a lot to be thankful for every year in Vail, but this year is extraordinary. It’s rare to have conditions this good, this early in the season,” said Chris Jarnot, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain.
“We’ll be talking about Thanksgiving 2014 for years to come. Our crews have been working incredibly hard literally around the clock to open terrain as quickly as possible. With Chair 5 now open, we hope to open China Bowl next, possibly yet this weekend.”
With the addition of Vail’s Legendary Back Bowls, guests now have access to more than 2,700 developed skiable acres of terrain accessible by the following lifts:
- Gondola One
- Avanti Express Lift (#2)
- Wildwood Express Lift (#3)
- Mountain Top 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)
- Little Eagle Lift (#15)
- Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19)
- Cascade Village Lift (#20)
The resort anticipates opening the remainder of Vail’s lifts and terrain, including Blue Sky Basin in early December.
All guests are reminded that they must observe all posted signs and closures, especially during the early season. Closed trails may contain hazards due to early snow coverage. Accessing closed terrain is a violation of the Colorado Ski Safety Act and will result in the loss of skiing privileges and could involve prosecution and a fine.