Vail, Beaver Creek announce Opening Days for 2024-25 season

Vail Mountain intends to start the ski season on Nov. 15 this year, and Beaver Creek is planning a Nov. 27 Opening Day, according to a plan released Wednesday by Vail Resorts.

While terrain announcements usually don’t come until days before the opening, Vail is likely to open the Ramshorn and Swingsville runs on Opening Day, as has been the case in the years that have followed the completion of Vail Mountain’s massive snowmaking overhaul during the fall of 2019.

That new system allows the mountain to take advantage of colder temperatures at higher elevation areas, with the top of Gondola One serving as the base village area. Guests then download upon completion of the ski day, 2,000 vertical feet back to Vail Village.

Vail Mountain has opened earlier in the years that followed the snowmaking system upgrade. From 2013 to 2017, the mountain’s earliest opening was Nov. 20. In 2016, the mountain’s Nov. 25 opening was the latest since 1986, when the mountain opened on Nov. 26.

Vail’s Nov. 12, 2021, Opening Day was the earliest since 1998, when the mountain opened Nov. 9. That achievement was repeated again last year with the mountain’s Nov. 10 opening.

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This season will mark the debut of a $4 million investment in Vail Mountain’s Golden Peak base area with Avanti Food & Beverage, launching early 2025.

“Avanti Vail will be a collective space with multiple culinary offerings, inspired by European markets and food truck roundups,” according to a press release issued Wednesday. “The new space will highlight local chefs and restauranteurs, revitalizing Golden Peak, a local’s favorite way up Vail Mountain, and offering an array of delicious food and drink options at an approachable price point.”

At Beaver Creek this year, an exciting development will take place in the World Cup ski racing scene as female ski racers will return to the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup race for the first time in years. The new women’s races, along with the annual men’s race, will be part of a multi-day festival including concerts, family activities, gatherings, celebrations and more Dec. 6-15. 

Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass — the most affordable way to get on the mountain — is scheduled to go up in price on Sept. 2.