It is official - the lifts are spinning and we are starting another ski and snowboarding season. This year Vail Mountain is starting the season with 91 acres of open terrain and some of our favorite runs available for skiing from day one. You might have missed the very first day of the season but make sure to plan a visit in the early season as it offers a lot of new events for the whole family.
Early season terrain and on mountain activities:
The early season skiing and riding looks a lot different this year compared to the years past. The mountain operations crews were busy this summer and fall and their efforts paid off. The innovative snow making together with the cold temperatures in October enabled Vail to open most of the runs around Mountaintop Express Lift bowl. Ramshorn, Swingsville, Slifer Express and Cappuccino to name a few will be open allowing skiers and riders to disperse on the mountain and have much more enjoyable experience. For memorable on mountain dining Look Ma at Mid-Vail and Buffalo’s at top or chair lift 4 will be fully operational.
Early Season Festivities:
To celebrate the new winter season and Thanksgiving Vail has created a brand new week long family festival. Revely Vail will combine cooking classes, ice skating performance, holiday market and much more guaranteeing fun time for everybody in your group. The festivities will start on Saturday, Nov. 23 with cooking classes led by executive chief Rosa Provoste, an ice skating celebration from 3:30 to 4 pm at both the Solaris and Arrabelle skating rings and Explosion of Light Walk taking you on an exciting stroll in through the lit up streets of Vail. The activities will go on until Saturday 11.30 culminating with the Vail Tree Lighting ceremony. See the full program here.
If you are wondering when is the best time to come to Vail for great concerts and on and off the mountain parties book your trip for early December. Vail Snow Days will begin on Thursday, Dec. 12 with Snow Days Live! featuring live performances in participating bars and restaurants in both Vail Village and Lionshead. On Friday, Dec. 13 the party starts early with the opening of Festival Village at 9 am at Mountain Plaza. Stick around for the Block Party at International Bridge from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and great apres ski fun during Snow Days Live starting at 4 p.m. The highlight of the night will be the free concert at Ford Park parking lot with headliner the Modest Mouse and opener The Rad Trads. For the list of places with live music and after parties look here. Saturday, Dec. 14 will repeat the same fun schedule of events but the free concert will be featuring The Head and The Heart with opener Rob Drabkin. Start Sunday, Dec. 15 with Bluegrass and Bloodies at the Tavern at Arrabelle, followed by Festival Village at Mountain plaza, another Block Party by International Bridge and more Snow Days Live apres ski specials around town.
