Vail to open Blue Sky Basin on Friday

Vail officials announced Thursday that Blue Sky Basin will open for the 2014-15 ski season on Friday, bringing Vail Mountain to more than 4,300 skiable acres — the most in the nation.

Here’s the unabridged and rather detailed press release on the terrain opening and many other early-season details:

Vail Mountain, one of the largest ski resorts in the world, will open its iconic Blue Sky Basin terrain for the 15^th season on Friday, Dec. 5, bringing the resort up to more than 4,300 acres of developed ski and snowboard terrain. Since its opening in January 2000, Blue Sky Basin has been a favorite amongst locals and guests from around the world, offering skiers and snowboarders a distinct backcountry feel, complete with glades, cliffs, steeps, and often plenty of powder and fresh tracks.

“In keeping with the extraordinary start to the 2014-2015 winter season at Vail we are opening Blue Sky Basin for skiing and snowboarding tomorrow,” said Chris Jarnot, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “This is a truly iconic area of Vail Mountain, and to be able to open this terrain in early December demonstrates the remarkable start to the season we’ve enjoyed so far this year, as well as the incredible efforts made by our entire mountain operations team.”

With the addition of Blue Sky Basin, guests now have access to more than 4,300 developed skiable acres of terrain accessible by the following lifts:

• Gondola One
• Avanti Express Lift (#2)
• Wildwood Express Lift (#3)
• Mountain Top Express Lift (#4)
• High Noon Express Lift (#5)
• Riva Bahn Express Lift (#6)
• Game Creek Express Lift (#7)
• Born Free Express Lift (#8)
• Highline Express Lift (#10)
• Northwoods Express Lift (#11)
• Gopher Hill Lift (#12)
• Sourdough Express Lift (#14)
• Little Eagle Lift (#15)
• Sun Up Lift (#17)
• Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19)
• Cascade Village Lift (#20)
• Orient Express Lift (#21)
• Tea Cup Express Lift (#36)
• Skyline Express Lift (#37)
• Pete’s Express Lift (#39)

Vail anticipates opening the remainder of the resort’s lifts and terrain as soon as conditions permit.

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.

On Mountain Dining

Vail’s largest on-mountain dining facility, Two Elk, opens for the season on Friday, Dec. 5 along with the Golden Peak Grill. Wildwood will open for weekend lunch service, Dec. 5-7.

The 10^th, Vail’s elevated on-mountain, sit-down dining experience is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Regular dinner service will be offered Tuesdays through Saturdays beginning Tuesday, Dec. 16 and reservations can be made by calling (970) 754-1010.

Dinner service at Game Creek Restaurant and Bistro Fourteen will begin on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Both restaurants will be open nightly through Saturday, Jan. 3 before moving to their regular dinner service schedule Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Adventure Ridge

Adventure Ridge opens for the season on Wednesday, Dec. 17 offering fun for the whole family with activities including tubing, kids snowmobiling, guided ski biking tours, daily ski bike rentals, zip lining, bungee trampolines and free snowshoe tours at the Nature Discovery Center. Hours of operation are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12-8 p.m., and Sundays and Mondays from 12-4 p.m. Adventure Ridge will be open from 12-8 p.m. daily for the holidays beginning Tuesday, Dec. 16 through Saturday, Jan. 3.

EpicDay Express: For the Ultimate Convenience and Savings on Lift Tickets

With the implementation of a new mobile ticket platform, guests now have the ability to purchase daily lift tickets online and on their mobile devices, in advance or up-to-the-minute before enjoying the mountain at the guaranteed lowest price – as much as 25 percent off the lead rate. In other words, bypass the normal ticket window and get on the mountain faster than ever! Existing hard card lift passes may be instantly reloaded, allowing skiers and snowboarders to head right to the lift. For guests who need a new hard card, an express lane will be available at ticket windows for added convenience.

And, lift tickets aren’t the only part of the ski trip where guests can benefit from booking in advance. Guests are now also guaranteed the lowest price, and best availability, when booking ski and snowboard lessons online, at least 48 hours in advance with the Vail Ski & Snowboard School. Specialty lesson products and offerings this season include 2015 World Championship lesson experiences, a new Women’s Ultimate 4 lesson, and the return of the popular Ski Girls Rock program. For more information or to book, call (970) 754-4300 or visit www.vail.com/lessons.

Kick-Off Winter with Snow, Après, and Free Concerts at Vail Snow Daze Dec. 12-14 & 19-21

Early season also brings the resort’s signature event – Snow Daze! Not long after the annual start of the ski and snowboard season, Snow Daze, offers visitors the ultimate winter kick-off party. Spend the day on the mountain, après at parties throughout the village, and wrap up the night with free concerts! This year’s lineup features live entertainment from Lukas Nelson & P.O.T.R., The Wallflowers, 10,000 Maniacs and Rusted Root. For more information, visit www.vail.com/snowdaze.

Enjoy Early Season and Off-Peak Pursuits at Vail this Winter!

Dreaming of the mountain to yourself now? Come experience everything Vail Mountain and Vail Village have to offer during early season and off-peak time periods this winter and receive the BEST rates of the season. Plus, book two or more nights at The Lodge at Vail or The Arrabelle at Vail Square and receive up to $150 mountain money to use towards lift tickets, rentals, shopping, dining and more. The longer you stay, the more you receive!

For more information about Vail Mountain visit www.vail.com, or stop by the Mountain Information Center, or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).