COLORADO AREAS EXTEND THE SEASON - Ski Area Management

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18 April 2013

Push to The Latest: No

SAM Magazine—Vail, Colo., April 18, 2013—It's a season for extended seasons. Following the postponed closing dates at many Northeastern areas this April, several Colorado resorts have extended their seasons, too. A late-season storm cycle has dropped several feet of snow on the mountains, and a couple of feet on the Front Range, closing golf courses and ballfields and leaving locals with few outdoor options other than skiing and riding.

With more than a foot of snow on closing day, April 13, and two feet of new snow since, Vail will reopen for skiing and snowboarding April 19 through April 21. Breckenridge, which received five feet of snow in April, is doing the same.

Vail will provide skiers and snowboarders access to more than 2,400 acres of terrain, including some of the Back Bowls. Breck will open 1,180 acres on Peak 8. Vail will offer lessons and food service at four on-mountain locations. Both resorts are honoring 2012-13 VR season's passes.

Vail is offering visitors with passes at other areas $25 lift tickets; those without will pay $50. Non-Vail Resorts passholders will be able to apply the day-ticket charges to a 2013-14 season's pass. Breck is offering free parking, $50 tickets to anyone without a VR pass, and discounted lessons, including privates.

Not to be outdone, Copper Mountain is opening for the three-day weekend also. Copper passes, four-packs, and Snow Day passes will all be honored; guests with non-affiliated area season passes will pay $25; otherwise, day tickets will run $40. Terrain, including parks, and lifts have not yet been determined. A few popular restaurants and a ski shop, including rentals, will be available, but no ski school, tuning, or other services.

Powderhorn, with three feet of snow in April, is reopening April 20-21.â¨ Full season passes for 2012-13 and passes for 2013-14 are valid; tickets for non-passholders are $30 for adults, $25 for youth/pre-teens. Children age six and under ski free. Additional services will include dining on the Sunset Grill deck (weather-dependent); Alpine Trader retail; equipment rentals; and guest services. Ski & Ride School will not be available.

Aspen Highlands, which was already slated to be open through this weekend, is offering a bonus weekend April 27-28. Winter Park, also scheduled to be open through this weekend, is assessing if it will extend the season.

"This is a big thank you to everyone,” said Aspen Skiing Co. senior VP David Perry, of Highland's extra weekend. “Let's finish the season with smiles on our faces." Highlands will offer access to the entire mountain. All Aspen/Snowmass season passes are valid; those with passes to other areas will pay $39. Adult tickets are $62, $57 for youth and seniors, and $42 for children age 7 and older.

The traditional late closers are sticking to their established dates (so far): Loveland will be open through May 5, and Arapahoe Basin through June 2.