Vail continues to open Back Bowls as snow continues to fall

Blue Sky, China, Tea Cup and Sun Down Bowls opening Saturday

Thanks to more than a half of foot of new snow on Friday and nearly two feet in the last week, Vail cranked up Chairs 5 and 9 in the Back Bowls for first time so far this season, and on Saturday the resort will open parts of China Bowl, Tea Cup Bowl, Sun Down Bowl and Blue Sky Basin.

Beaver Creek also will expand its skiable terrain to more than 1,000 acres Saturday after nearly two feet of new snow in the last week, and forecasters are calling for the snow cycle to continue next week. It seems the abnormally slow and dry start to the ski season may finally be giving way to a more typically snowy pattern.

“Snow began to fall in the northern mountains on Thursday at midnight, and as of Friday at 6 am there is already 1-6 inches of accumulation, with another 4-8 inches likely to fall throughout the day on Friday,” Opensnow.com meteorologist Joel Gratz reported Friday morning.

“Then, the weather on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday will be mostly dry,” Gratz added. “Next week, we’ll see a weak system on Tuesday and again on Wednesday. A strong storm should bring significant snow to all of Colorado from later Friday through later Saturday (January 19-20) with an active (stormy) pattern continuing through the end of January.”

Here’s the press release from Vail Resorts at new terrain opening up at Vail and Beaver Creek Saturday:

Vail Mountain Expands Terrain in the Back Bowls & Beaver Creek Resort Has More Than 1,000 Acres of Open Terrain

VAIL, Colo. – Jan. 12, 2018 –The snow just keeps falling. With 6 inches of snow falling throughout the day on Friday, bringing the seven-day snow total to 21 inches, Vail Mountain will open portions of China Bowl, Tea Cup Bowl and Sun Down Bowl, in addition to portions of terrain in Blue Sky Basin, on Saturday, January 13. Sun Up Bowl is now open for ski and snowboard access. Beaver Creek received 5 inches of snow during the day Friday and 23 inches in the last seven days, and skiers and snowboarders will have access to more than 1,000 acres of skiable terrain on Saturday, January 13.

Beginning Saturday, Vail Mountain will operate the following lifts with access to 2,513 skiable acres:

• Gondola One
• Avanti Express (#2)
• Wildwood Express (#3)
• Mountain Top 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 Lift (#12)
• Sourdough Express (#14)
• Little Eagle (#15)
• Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19)
• Cascade Village (#20)
• Orient Express (#21)
• Golden Peak Carpet (#25)
• Pride Express (#26)
• Golden Peak Carpet (#29)
• Golden Peak Carpet (#33)
• Lionshead Carpet (#34)
• Eagle’s Nest Carpet (#35)
• Tea Cup Express Lift (#36)
• Skyline Express Lift (#37)
• Pete’s Express (#39)

Belle’s Camp will be open on Saturday, January 13 with limited service. Belle’s Camp and The Dawg Haus will open on Sunday, January 14 for regular winter operations.

Beginning Saturday, Beaver Creek Resort will operate the following lifts with access to 1,034 skiable acres:

• Buckaroo Express Gondola (#1)
• Highlands Lift (#2)
• Rose Bowl Express (#4)
• Red Buffalo Express (#5)
• Centennial Express (#6)
• Riverfront Express Gondola (#7)
• Cinch Express (#8)
• Birds of Prey Express (#9)
• Larkspur Express (#11)
• Strawberry Park Express (#12)
• Lower Beaver Creek Express (#15)
• Bachelor Gulch Express (#16)
• Arrow Bahn Express (#17)
• Upper Beaver Creek Express (#18)
• Magic Carpet
• Bibber Bahn
• Silver Bahn
• Kerch Bahn
• Ritz Bahn
• Gold Bahn

The Nordic Center at Beaver Creek Resort has approximately 80% of its trails groomed and open for cross country and snowshoeing, approximately 15 miles of trails.

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.