Vail, Beaver Creek changing operations schedule, terrain availability for end of season

Vail Resorts on Wednesday announced changes to its late-season operations at both Beaver and Vail. Here’s the full press release from Vail Resorts:

Beginning Monday, April 8, Beaver Creek Resort will offer skiing and snowboarding terrain on trails accessed from Rose Bowl Express Lift (#4), Centennial Express Lift (#6), Birds of Prey Lift (#9), and Grouse Mountain Express (#10).There will not be skiing access between Bachelor Gulch and Beaver Creek Village. Vail Mountain will operate under a special schedule for the final day of the 2018-2019 ski and snowboard season on Sunday, April 21.

Beaver Creek 
Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy spring skiing on terrain for all ability levels Monday, April 8, through closing day, Sunday, April 14, on the following lifts:

• Haymeadow Express Gondola (#1)
• Rose Bowl Express Lift (#4)
• Red Buffalo Express (#5)
• Centennial Express Lift (#6)
• Cinch Express Lift (#8)
• Birds of Prey Express Lift (#9)
• Grouse Mountain Express Lift (#10)
• Bachelor Gulch Express Lift (#16)

Spruce Saddle, the Ice Cream Parlour, and Starbucks in Beaver Creek Village will be open for food and beverages through April 14. Private and group lessons will continue to be offered for children and adults through Beaver Creek Ski School through closing day, April 14. The Nordic Center will close for the season after this Sunday, April 7; they continue to offer Winter Wine Excursions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, daily snowshoe tours, private tours, and equipment rentals through April 7. 
 
For more information on Beaver Creek Resort updates and activities, please visit www.beavercreek.com.
 
Vail  
Given the variable spring snow conditions and limited egress routes off the mountain, downloading early at the end of the day to get ahead of the crowd is strongly encouraged. In anticipation of the need to better accommodate guests for downloading, lifts will close to uphill traffic at the following times:
 

• 2 p.m. | ticket sales will cease for daily access
• 2:30 p.m. Closing | Riva Bahn Express Lift (#6)
• 3 p.m. Closing | Gondola One, Wildwood Express Lift (#3), Mountaintop Express Lift (#4), High Noon Express Lift (#5), and Northwoods Express Lift (#11)
• 4 p.m. Closing | Avanti Express Lift (#2), Little Eagle Lift (#15) and Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19)

 
For closing day, off mountain egress routes will be available for expert skiers and snowboarders to Lionshead, Vail Village and Golden Peak. All guests – especially beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders – are encouraged to download Gondola One or the Eagle Bahn Gondola which will be available until Ski Patrol has swept the mountain.
 
Vail Resorts operates Vail Mountain under special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service and has made the decision to close these lifts early and to later close the mountain to the public on closing day. On Sunday, all operating lifts and decks will close for the season at 4 p.m. and public restrooms will close at 4 p.m. A series of air horns will play to signal the end of the season and the time at which guests are asked to depart.
 
U.S. Forest Service and local law enforcement officers will be on the mountain Sunday to help facilitate a safe end to the ski and snowboard season. Guests are expected to abide by the laws and rules of skiing and snowboarding and risk fines or arrest for irresponsible behavior and violations of federal laws. Skiers and snowboarders must continue to abide by the Colorado Ski Safety Act and “Your Responsibility Code” and observe all posted signs and closures.
 
Guests are reminded that using any ski lift or trail while impaired by alcohol or controlled substances such as marijuana is prohibited under the Colorado Ski Safety Act. Guests are also not permitted to ride lifts, ski or snowboard on Vail Mountain with open containers or exposed quantities of alcohol, coolers, suitcase-like carriers, barbeques, amplified sound equipment or similar items. One daypack per person will be permitted on closing day, provided the bag fits in a five-gallon container. Bags that do not meet the requirement are subject to search and will only be allowed if they contain no alcohol or controlled substances. 
 
Inappropriate behavior that may jeopardize the experience of other guests is not tolerated. As in recent years, violators who are ticketed or arrested will lose skiing and snowboarding privileges for the 2019-2020 season. Those who disobey posted signs and closures or engage in other inappropriate behavior could lose skiing and snowboarding privileges for up to the entire 2019-2020 season.
 
Resort officials ask everyone for their continued cooperation with ski patrol and other Vail Mountain staff on closing day Sunday. For those picnicking on the mountain, trash and recycling containers will be provided. Skiers and riders are also reminded that variable late-spring conditions exist and are encouraged to descend or download early. Once Vail Ski Patrol sweeps the mountain, it will remain closed until summer operations resume in June.
 
For more information about Vail Mountain visit www.vail.com, stop by the Mountain Information Center in Lionshead or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).