Powder pounding allows Beaver Creek to open Stone Creek Chutes

A foot of fresh and more on the way at Vail

Beaver Creek Resort opened all of Stone Creek Chutes, portions of Royal Elk Glade and more trails in Arrowhead after the latest storm cycle that’s produced nearly 2 feet of new snow in the last week.

Deep powder in Stone Creek Chutes at Beaver Creek.

Vail has had 12 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours, most of it during the day Sunday, and 14 inches in the last two days. Season to date Vail has been hit with 117 inches of snow, or nearly 10 feet. Twenty-seven of 31 lifts are operating, and 190 of 195 trails are open for skiing on 5,027 out of 5,289 acres.

Beaver Creek has had 9 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours, 6 inches overnight, and 11 inches in the last two days for a total of 110 inches season to date. Twenty-three of 24 lifts are running, and 125 out of 150 trails are open for skiing on 1,628 out of 1,832 skiable acres.

This is one of the earliest openings for Stone Creek Chutes which offers 180 acres designated as “EX” or extreme in bounds terrain with steep chutes and gladed runs for expert skiers and snowboarders. Skiers and riders will find chutes ranging from 400-600 vertical feet with pitches up to 45 degrees in Stone Creek, as well as small to moderate cliff bands.

The area can be accessed by riding the Cinch Express Lift (Chair 8) and the upper entry gate off of Red Buffalo will provide access to the open terrain. Select areas in Royal Elk Glade will open as well and skiers and snowboarders are reminded to obey all posted signs, warnings and closures.

Arrowhead terrain openings include Golden Bear, Little Brave and Wapiti trails, and additional trails will open as snowmaking is completed.

For more information on resort updates and activities visit www.beavercreek.com or visit m.beavercreek.com on mobile phones.

Vail Resorts also announced on Monday that season pass restrictions will be in effect at Vail and Beaver Creek during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holiday period. The following passes are restricted Friday, Dec. 26 through Wednesday, Dec. 31.

• Epic Local Pass;
• MerchantPass;
• Other Passes (Guest Fee and Community Relations).

All premium pass products, school employee pass products and student pass products are valid for skiing and snowboarding during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holiday period.

Restricted pass holders may ski or snowboard Dec. 26-31 by showing their pass and purchasing a discounted lift ticket at any ticket window; rate varies by pass type. Restricted season pass holders with lift charging privileges will automatically be charged the applicable rate on their credit card when the restricted pass is scanned at Vail and Beaver Creek from Dec. 26- 31.

Beaver Creek Resort has lifted season pass restrictions for foot passengers only on the Strawberry Park Express Lift (#12) from Dec. 26- 31. Snowshoe and cross country enthusiasts can stop by the Nordic Sports Center and pick up a foot passenger ticket to ride the lift and take advantage of the 32 kilometers of trail in mountaintop McCoyPark.

For more information, call the Vail Mountain Information Center at (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245) or the Beaver Creek Guest Service Center at (970) 754-4636.