Vail opening up Back Bowls on Thursday

It’s barely December and Vail is already opening its Back Bowls. The resort reported 6.5 feet of snow in November, allowing mountain operation crews to open parts of Sun Up and Sundown bowls on Thursday.

After a bit of a lull in the new snowfall the rest of the week and through the weekend, more storms are lined up to head into the state starting mid-week. Here’s the full press release from Vail Resorts:

Following 6.5 feet of snow in November, Vail Mountain has opened its legendary Back Bowls, providing access to portions of Sun Up Bowl via High Noon Express (#5) and Sun Up (#17). The resort plans to open portions of Sun Down Bowl mid-day on Thursday.

“It has been a great start to the season, and to be able to add Back Bowls terrain this early is fantastic,” said Chris Jarnot, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “The six feet of snow we received in November has made for an excellent early season at Vail Mountain.”

Skiers and snowboarders currently have access to the following lifts and skiable terrain in these areas on Vail Mountain:

• Gondola One
• Eagle Bahn Gondola
• The new, six-passenger Avanti Express (#2)
• Wildwood Express (#3)
• Mountain Top Express (#4)
• High Noon Express (#5)
• Game Creek Express (#7)
• Born Free Express (#8)
• Highline Express (#10)
• Northwoods Express (#11)
• Gopher Hill (#12)
• Sourdough Express (#14)
• Little Eagle (#15)
• Sun Up (#17)
• Cascade Village Lift (#20)

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.

Snow Daze – Dec. 11-13, 2015

Vail is continuing its celebration of the start of winter with snow, après, and free concerts at Vail Snow Daze from Dec. 11-13. After a day spent exploring the mountain, visit the sponsor expo village and demo the latest gear, après at parties throughout the village, and wrap up the night with free live concerts by Big Head Todd and the Monsters and JJ Grey & Mofro. For a complete event lineup, visit www.vail.com/snowdaze.

 EpicDay Lift Tickets Offer the Ultimate Convenience and Savings of up to 25 Percent

Vail Resorts is making it more convenient and affordable for skiers and snowboarders to purchase daily lift tickets to its 10 U.S. resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at Lake Tahoe; Afton Alps in Minnesota; and Mt. Brighton in Michigan. EpicDay Lift tickets offers advance or up-to-the-minute lift ticket purchases through an easy-to-use online and mobile site, www.snow.com/epicday. When purchased in advance, lift tickets can be picked up at a designated EpicDay Express Ticket Pick-Up lane at each resort. Once the ticket is picked up, guests can keep their ticket and load it with more days online, avoiding a return trip to the ticket window. EpicDay Lift Tickets rewards advanced planning, even if the purchase is made while walking up to the resort, with the lowest price guaranteed and less time spent in the ticket line.