Beaver Creek opens Bachelor Gulch as pair of storms chug toward Vail Valley

Chair 5 at Vail seen running although Back Bowls not yet open

After a warm, dry start to Thanksgiving week, a pair of storms were set to freshen up the skiing conditions at Vail and Beaver Creek starting Thanksgiving night and lasting into Sunday.

No major terrain openings to report on Wednesday, although the Bachelor Gulch Express lift in Arrowhead started running on Wednesday. For now, however, there’s no skier connection to Beaver Creek.

“Wednesday will be the final dry day ahead of two rounds of snow for Colorado through Thanksgiving weekend,” Opensnow.com meteorologist Sam Collentine wrote Wednesday. “The first storm will arrive on Thursday night, followed by the second and stronger storm on Saturday. Active weather will likely continue during the final days of November and into early December.”

Opensnow.com is predicting 2 to 6 inches of new snow by Friday morning, followed by up to another foot of new snow by Sunday.

Conditions were holding up nicely throughout the week at both mountains, with above-average early-season snow opening up hundreds of acres of skiing earlier than scheduled.

On Wednesday, Chair 5 at Vail was running, although the Back Bowls remain closed. Likely just testing the lift ahead of a back-side rope-drop in the next week or two. But if the next two storms produce as expected, look for possible Back Bowl openings by the weekend.

At Beaver Creek, the Birds of Prey downhill course has been given the go-ahead by International Ski Federation officials ahead of next week’s World Cup races, Nov. 30—Dec. 2. Go to the Vail Valley Foundation website for more info, and check snow.com for recreational ski conditions.

Here’s that Beaver Creek press release on Bachelor Gulch opening:

Beaver Creek Resort Now Offering Access at Bachelor Gulch

No ski access between Bachelor Gulch and main mountain available

BEAVER CREEK, Colo. – Nov. 21, 2018 – Today, Beaver Creek Resort began operating Bachelor Gulch Express Lift (#16) with skiing and snowboarding on Sawbuck. There will not be skiing access between Bachelor Gulch and Beaver Creek Village. Mamie’s Mountain Grill will open for the season on Friday, Nov. 23.

Beaver Creek Resort is operating the following lifts with access to 14 trails and 296 acres of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain:

• Centennial Express Lift (#6)
• Haymeadow Express Gondola (#1)
• Cinch Express Lift (#8)
• Red Buffalo Express Lift (#5)
• Bachelor Gulch Express Lift (#16)

All guests are reminded that they must observe all posted signs, closures and slow zones, 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.

Scans for Cans: Make turns for good this Thanksgiving.

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 22, Epic Pass holders can give back to the community while they ski or snowboard. For each Epic Pass scanned at either Vail Mountain or Beaver Creek Resort this Thanksgiving, Vail, Beaver Creek, and EpicPromise will donate one canned food item on the pass holder’s behalf to the Vail Valley Salvation Army.

Epic Pass: Last Chance to Purchase Extended to Sunday, Dec. 2

The last chance to purchase the 2018-19 Epic Pass and other Epic Season Pass options – including the Epic Local, Epic 7-Day and Epic 4-Day – is Sunday, Dec. 2. The Epic Pass provides skiers and riders with the greatest multi-resort pass value in the ski industry, offering access to more than 65 resorts in eight countries for $949. New for the 2018-19 winter season, the Epic Pass will now feature unlimited, unrestricted skiing and riding at 19 mountain resorts including Crested Butte, plus seven days at Telluride, in addition to unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. The remaining lineup of passes is available for purchase at epicpass.com.

The Snow Is Here & So Are Winter’s Best Deals:

The Vail Resorts Cyber Sale is back. With lodging rates from $99/night, there’s no better time to book a winter getaway to Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Tahoe, Stowe and more. The Vail Resorts Cyber Sale ends at midnight this coming Tuesday, Nov. 27. Visit  https://www.snow.com/info/cyber-week  to plan, book and save.

 Beaver Creek Early Season:

Experience Winter’s Extraordinary Start at Beaver Creek:

From being back on snow, to world-class events and special offers, four extraordinary weeks of celebration await. Early season celebrations include Opening Weekend, Nov. 21-25; Xfinity Birds of Prey Men’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup Nov. 29-Dec. 2; Winter’s Welcome, Dec. 7-9; and the Haymeadow Park Grand Opening on Dec. 15. www.beavercreek.com/explore/winters-extraordinary-start