Vail gets 8 inches of new snow and counting; Beav’ opens early on Saturday

Vail, which has been open since Nov. 15, reported 5 inches of new snow overnight Thursday into Friday morning, with more snow steadily falling as of 9 a.m., Friday. That comes on top of 3 inches the day before for a two-day total of 8 inches.

Beaver Creek isn’t officially reporting yet but opens early for the second straight year on Saturday and no doubt received similar snow totals just 10 miles west of Vail.

And more snow is in the forecast for next week:

“We saw 2-10 additional inches on Thursday and Thursday night, so there will be some freshies to enjoy on Friday morning,” Opensnow.com meteorologist Joel Gratz wrote Friday. “Expect another 1-4 inches on Friday, with snow ending by early-to-mid afternoon. The weekend will be dry. Next week, one storm will bring snow on Monday and Tuesday with a second storm from Wednesday through the weekend after Thanksgiving.”

No word yet on additional terrain openings at Vail, which right now is offering skiing out of Vail Village and Mid-Vail, accessed by Gondola One, due to a new snowmaking system.

Here’s a Vail Resorts’ roundup of Epic Pass mountains, starting with Beaver and followed by Vail:

Beaver Creek Resort  

For the second year in a row, Beaver Creek Resort will open early for the 2019-20 ski and snowboard season on Saturday, Nov. 23, four days ahead of its scheduled Nov. 27 opening date. The resort will offer more than 70 acres of beginner and intermediate terrain accessible via Centennial Express Lift (#6) and Haymeadow Express Gondola (#1). The resort will also host its annual World’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest on Nov. 27 and its Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 29.

Vail Mountain 

Vail is currently offering more than 90 acres of skiing and riding accessed by Gondola One out of Vail Village. This weekend, Vail debuts a new holiday tradition: Revely Vail, a week-long celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday season and an official kickoff of the 2019-2020 winter season. From November 22-30, Revely Vail will offer family-oriented activities throughout Vail Village, including cooking classes, ice skating, a Gingerbread Contest, Explosion of Lights and a Kris Kringle Market. A signature 10^th Mountain Legacy Parade will also take place along the streets of Vail, honoring veterans and commemorating the legacy of Vail’s founders. For more information visit: https://reneventproductions.com/event/revelyvail/ 

Keystone Resort  

This Saturday, Nov. 23, Keystone Resort will expand terrain to The Outback, offering skiing and riding across all three peaks. With the expansion to The Outback the resort will offer more than 250 acres of skiing and riding available beginning Saturday. Night skiing operations begin this Wednesday, Nov. 27 with access via the River Run Gondola and the Peru Express lift. Additionally, Kidtopia’s free daily programming including Saturday night fireworks, and Snowtubing at Adventure Point begin this Saturday, Nov. 23.   

Breckenridge Ski Resort 

Breckenridge is currently offering the most open terrain in the U.S. Beginning this Saturday, the resort will expand terrain offerings on Peak 9 with the opening of the Mercury SuperChair and the Columbia trail. This will boost open terrain to nearly 340 acres of skiing and riding across two peaks at Breck.   

Crested Butte Mountain Resort  

Crested Butte opens for the 2019-20 season on Wednesday, Nov. 27. This winter season CBMR will also debut the new Teocalli Lift, upgraded over the summer from a double chair to a 4-passenger chair. 

Nov. 24 is the Last Chance to Secure an Epic Pass for the 2019-20 Winter Season  

With Beaver Creek’s early opening and Crested Butte opening next week, Epic Pass holders will have access to skiing and riding at all Vail Resorts’ Colorado mountains, which means you will not want to miss your chance to purchase an Epic Pass, or Epic Day Pass for the 2019-20 season before the Sunday, Nov. 24 deadline.