Vail closes out the 2024-25 winter season in style
Annual "4 at 4" bash drew thousands of revelers, sporting costumes to ski remaining 53 inches of slush
Zoe Goldstein/Vail Daily
Vail’s 63rd season wrapped up with a day of fun on the slopes Sunday.
Revelers came out in droves, sporting costumes and bright colors, to close down Vail Mountain in style. While the day started with icy hardpack, the temperature warmed into the high 30s as the afternoon went on and skiers and boarders were treated to some of the mountain’s finest late spring conditions.
The annual “4 at 4” party drew thousands to the top of Chair 4 ahead of the mountain’s 4 p.m. closure.
Closing Day was not the only holiday to celebrate; Easter and the final day of Passover both also fell on April 20. Easter bunnies and bunny ears abounded, while the priest costume was a rarer find.
Brothers Sam and James Kancewick, of Denver, decided to don matching inflatable dinosaur costumes atop their snowboards to match their group’s safari costume theme. “We’re so glad it’s working,” Sam Kancewick said.
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“It has been really fun,” James Kancewick said. “When I fall down, it just looks like he’s tired.”
“Vail Closing Day might be our favorite,” Sam Kancewick said.
Beth Howard, Vail Mountain’s chief operating officer of six years, reflected on this year’s ski season as one of “awesome powder days” and “vibrant” music.
“It’s always bittersweet to bring another season to a close, but it’s fun to celebrate another amazing winter with everyone here at Vail Mountain,” Howard said. “My deepest appreciation goes out to our incredible Vail Mountain team for their hard work and dedication in delivering a wonderful employee and guest experience. I also want to thank our Vail community for their support throughout the season. We appreciate everyone who came to visit us this season and we look forward to seeing you again next year.”
Vail’s 2024-25 season was one to remember.
This season, Vail reached a total of 324 cumulative inches of snow, according to the mid-mountain snow stake. This is a significant increase from last year, when Vail recorded 306 cumulative inches of snow. But a series of warm days throughout the spring led to a base depth of 53 inches on Closing Day, four inches less than last year. Sixty-one percent of the mountain’s terrain was open on Closing Day, according to Open Snow.
The season lasted 157 days, beginning on Nov. 15. This made the season seven days shorter than last year, but snow enthusiasts packed in plenty of excitement in that time.
A four-day snowstorm brought 39 inches of snow to Vail beginning on Feb. 14, with Vail Mountain receiving the most snow in the state.
“We’ve had some really good powder days … it’s been a good season,” said Luke Wagy, of Denver, who wrapped up his season with 30 days at Vail. “Stoked that yesterday was a powder day,” he said.
The opening of Avanti Food & Beverage at the base of Golden Peak in December drew hungry skiers and boarders for a variety of affordable food and beverage options. World class DJs including Tiesto and John Summit performed on and near the mountain.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the scaling of Riva Ridge by 10th Mountain Division soldiers during World War II, current 10th Mountain Division soldiers, Colorado National Guard, local veterans and members of the National Ski Patrol skinned from Vail Pass to Vail Mountain. Vail hosted the U.S. Alpine Championships for the first time ever, though races were postponed the first day due to warm conditions.
But it was not all fun. This season, Vail experienced a number of challenges, including the need to send managers to Park City after ski patrollers at Park City ski area went on strike in December and an extended closure of Chair 6 out of Golden Peak in March.
This season of ups and downs showcased the commitment Vail devotees have to keeping their mountain alive. Among the many voices getting in their final Vail turns Sunday, one thing was clear: People are already counting down the days until next season begins.
