Vail nearly 100 percent open as Christmas storm heads into Colorado

Vail Mountain is now very nearly 100 percent open for the Christmas holiday, with more than 5,000 of its 5,289 skiable acres now available to snow riders after a half a foot fell overnight Thursday and another storm heads into Colorado Saturday evening.

Forecasters are calling for anywhere from 2 to 8 inches of new snow on the slopes of the northern and central Colorado mountains by Christmas morning.

“Saturday will be warm and dry, then a storm will bring snow on Saturday night and Sunday with fresh powder likely on Sunday morning and throughout the day,” Opensnow.com meteorologist Joel Gratz wrote on Christmas Eve.

“Monday and Tuesday will be dry, then the next storm will bring lighter snow to northern Colorado on Wednesday. Another storm is possible close to or during the days just after New Years.”

On Thursday, Vail opened Siberia Bowl, Inner Mongolia Bowl and Outer Mongolia Bowl. Here’s the full Vail Resorts press release:

Vail Mountain Offers More than 5,000 Acres of Skiable Terrain

• Resort begins operating Mongolia Lift (#22)

VAIL, Colo. – Dec. 22, 2016 – Vail Mountain is currently offering skiing and snowboarding on 5,074 acres of skiable terrain, including terrain in Siberia Bowl, Inner Mongolia Bowl and Outer Mongolia Bowl accessible via Mongolia Lift (#22). The legendary Back Bowls and the majority of terrain in Blue Sky Basin are open, and Vail currently has 96 percent of its 5,289 total acres open.

Vail has received more than four feet of snow in December and is anticipating being 100 percent open by Christmas Day.

Skiers and snowboarders currently have access to the following lifts and 5,074 skiable acres in these areas on Vail Mountain:

• Gondola One
• Eagle Bahn Gondola
• Avanti Express (#2)
• Wildwood Express (#3)
• Mountaintop Express (#4)
• High Noon Express (#5)
• Riva Bahn Express (#6)
• Game Creek Express (#7)
• Born Free Express (#8)
• Sun Up Express (#9)
• Highline Express (#10)
• Northwoods Express (#11)
• Gopher Hill (#12)
• Sourdough Express (#14)
• Little Eagle (#15)
• Cascade Village (#20)
• Orient Express (#21)
• Mongolia Lift (#22)
• Pride Express (#26)
• Teacup Express (#36)
• Skyline Express (#37)
• Pete’s Express (#39)

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.

Purchase Lift Tickets In Advance to Save the Most

Skiers and snowboarders looking for the best prices on lift tickets can use their smartphone or computer to purchase tickets online in advance at www.vail.com. By purchasing lift tickets seven or more days in advance online, guests will receive the biggest savings – up to 25 percent – and the lowest price, guaranteed. Advance purchase tickets can be sent directly to a guest’s mailbox, allowing them to bypass the ticket window. Or guests can easily pick up their tickets at the resorts’ Epic Day Express windows. Once a guest has a hard card ticket, they can even load more days onto the card by purchasing additional days online. Guests can also save by booking ski school lessons online in advance at www.vail.com.