Vail opens most of Back Bowls, with more to come

Vail opened the Back Bowls on Thursday, Dec. 15.

“What’s a better way to celebrate turning 60 than a BACK BOWL BIRTHDAY BASH! China Bowl, Tea Cup, Siberia Bowl and Sun Up Bowl are OPEN!” Vail posted on Facebook Thursday.

A new quad chairlift is still under construction in Sun Down Bowl, as well as a new six-pack lift in Game Creek Bowl. Both areas are still closed to snow riding, as is Chair 5 (High Noon Express) because it shares a base terminal area with the new Sun Down Express lift (Chair 17), which will deposit snow riders near the top of the new Game Creek Express (Chair 7).

Vail is now more than 60% open.

Blue Sky Basin also remains closed for now.

Vail has already received 119 inches of snow so far this season, with more reportedly on the way next week.

Here’s the official press release from Vail Resorts:

VAIL, Colo., Dec. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Vail Mountain received over 18″ of natural snowfall during this week’s winter storm, allowing the resort to open the Legendary Back Bowls on the resort’s 60^th birthday. A massive undertaking, the resort prepared and opened 2,000 acres of terrain. There are currently 3,200 acres available for skiing and riding. In addition to this enormous terrain opening, Vail Mountain kicked off its 60^th Birthday Bash with the launch of the Eagle’s Nest Ice Bar and a complimentary champagne toast for guests!

Terrain Opening Today:

• Sun Up Bowl and Sun Up Express (#9)
• Tea Cup Bowl and Tea Cup Express (#36)
• China Bowl and Orient Express (#21)
• Siberia Bowl with connection via Silk Road
• Inner Mongolia Bowl (available as hike-to terrain)
• Outer Mongolia Bowl (available as hike-to terrain)

60th Anniversary Birthday Bash: The 60^th Anniversary Birthday Bash kicks off today with the launch of the Eagle’s Nest Ice Bar – one of two planned Ice Bars for the 60^th Season. Guests joined for a complimentary champagne toast and live mountaintop DJ set. Free concerts and more are happening all weekend long – visit vail.com for more!

Other 60^th Anniversary Experiences Launching Today:

• Bistro 14 – A new fine art experience featuring Gray Malin: Bistro 14 relaunched as a fine art photography gallery experience featuring fine art photographer Gray Malin. The legendary photographer is debuting a new series, Gray Malin in Vail, on Jan. 17, and Vail Mountain guests get an exclusive first look only at Bistro 14. See his aerial collection at graymalin.com
• Snow Bungalows: Four exclusive snow bungalows are open for guests today, and will be available for reservation later this month. The Snow Bungalows are conveniently situated at the Eagle’s Nest Ice Bar and Bistro 14, and are your personal mountaintop retreat for an elevated day on the slopes.
• Vail Mail: Write a postcard from Vail’s highest mailbox at the Legacy Hut. Postcards feature artwork by Gray Malin and postage is courtesy of Vail Mountain. Send a letter from the highest mailbox in Vail – in true throwback and analogue fashion.
• Vail Mountain 60^th Anniversary Limited Edition Rye Bourbon: Vail Mountain collaborated with local distillery, 10^th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits, for a one-of-a-kind Limited Edition spirit that is now available on Vail Mountain and throughout select lodging locations. Grab a taste at the Eagle’s Nest Ice Bar.
• Murals and more: Vail Mountain has new murals and must-visit photo spots across the mountain. Visit a large recreation of Vail Mountain’s original Opening Day sign at the top of Wildwood Express (#3) and the new Mt. of the Holy Cross archway at the top of Eagle’s Nest which beautifully frames up the mountain’s closest 14,000′ peak.