Dry week ahead for Vail Valley as Beaver Creek opens Arrowhead on Saturday

After a low-level powder day on Thursday, Vail and Beaver Creek are headed into a week of sunny, relatively dry weather — a change from the consistent storms of the last few weeks.

That means plenty of nice, soft groomers, especially at Beaver Creek, where the resort on Friday announced it will open Arrowhead on Saturday.

The next significant snowfall is about a week out, with a dramatic shift in the forecast right around Christmas.

“Expect dry and partly sunny weather through most of next week with just a chance for light showers around Tuesday, December 18,” Opensnow.com meteorologist Joel Gratz wrote Friday. “We’ll have a better chance for some snow around Saturday, December 22, then odds for snow will increase quite a bit right around Christmas and beyond.”

Here’s the Vail Resorts’ press release on Arrowhead’s opening:

 Beaver Creek Resort is scheduled to begin operating Arrow Bahn Express (#17), Highlands Lift (#2), and Elkhorn Lift (#14) tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 15. Starting tomorrow, all lifts will now open at 8:30 a.m. and the resort will offer more than 1,300 acres of top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding on beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain. Beaver Creek Resort has received 98 inches of natural snowfall this season, and following the opening of Arrow Bahn Express (#17), Highlands Lift (#2), and Elkhorn Lift (#14), all lifts at Beaver Creek Resort will be operational for the season.

On Saturday, Broken Arrow will open for the season and SaddleRidge will open for lunch seven days a week, with dinner service beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Tomorrow also marks the grand opening of Haymeadow Park, Beaver Creek’s newest dedicated learning area, and the Ice Cream Parlour. Celebrations will take place both in Haymeadow Park and in Beaver Creek Village with music, giveaways, Cookie Time milkshake samples, and fun for the entire family. The Ice Cream Parlour ribbon cutting is scheduled for 11 a.m., and the full event schedule is available online atbeavercreek.com/Haymeadow.

Arrow Bahn Express (#17) will provide access to Bachelor Gulch via Stirrup and Cabin Fever. Guests returning to Arrowhead can access the area via Upper Cabin Fever to Primrose to Little Brave. There will be no beginner ski access back to Arrowhead; beginners may download Arrow Bahn Express (#17) back to Arrowhead Village, or utilize Village Connect.

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.

McCoy Park Now Open with Mountaintop Snowshoe Trails

The Nordic Center at Beaver Creek Resort is open for the 2018-19 season, with approximately 60 percent of its trails groomed and open for cross country and snowshoeing, with more than 11 miles (19 km) of cross country trails. McCoy Park is accessible from the Strawberry Park Express Lift (#12). Cross country and snowshoe rentals, as well as foot passenger tickets, are available at the Nordic Sports Center. For more information, please contact the Nordic Sports Center at 970.754.5313.

Village Connect:

Village Connect displays real-time arrival information for the on-demand transportation services within the Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead communities.  The Beaver Creek Village Connect app is now available for download on the Apple App Store or Google Play. The new Village Connect app provides door-to-door, on-demand rides and information to property owners and guests in Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead.