Vail Mountain announced today that the resort will open for the 2013-2014 season on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 with more than 130 acres of terrain and access from Vail Village and Lionshead. Breakfast burritos from Vail Mountain and hot cocoa, courtesy of Sprint, will be provided at both base areas for early risers and the Red Bull DJ truck will be parked at the base of Vail Village to provide music throughout the morning.

“When we open tomorrow, the majority of snowboarding will take place on Born Free, with connecting routes from the top of Gondola One and the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola,” said Chris Jarnot, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “We are very close to being able to open up much more additional terrain on mostly natural snow, and just need a bit more snow and, most importantly, cold temperatures to allow our snowmakers and groomers to fill in a few ditches, holes and gaps to connect everything together safely.  Ski Patrol will be evaluating trails every day, and we will open up as much additional terrain as we can, as soon as we can open it safely for all of our guests.  Keep your fingers crossed for continued snow and for cold temperatures, and we’ll get there soon.” 

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday snowboarders will have access to the following lifts and more than 130 acres of skiable terrain in these areas on Vail Mountain:

Gondola One

Born Free Express Lift (#8)

Little Eagle Lift (#15)

Eagle Bahn Gondola

Snowboarders will also have access to a terrain park experience on Born Free with eight features including seven boxes and rails, and one small jump. Beginner terrain will be offered at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola via the Little Eagle Lift (#15).

Vail Ski & Snowboard School

Beginning tomorrow the Lionshead Adults and Children’s Ski & Snowboard School offices will be open for all ability levels and the Vail Village Ski & Snowboard School office will be open for private lessons. Small World Nursery at the Golden Peak Children’s Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted and guests can also register online at www.vail.com.

Last Chance! EpicPass Available Through Sunday, Nov. 24

The Epic Pass™, the best season pass deal in the ski industry offering unlimited, unrestricted access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Eldora in Colorado, Canyons in Park City Utah, and Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe, for $729 only through Sunday, Nov. 24. For details, visit www.epicpass.com.

Vail Mountain lifts will open at 9 a.m. throughout the early season to accommodate early-morning operations. Skiers and snowboarders are asked to observe all posted signs and closures, especially during the early season.

For more information about Vail Mountain visit www.vail.com, or stop by the Mountain Information Center, open daily from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. beginning Friday, or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).