Who’s ready to hit the slopes? If you’re ready to trade your swimsuit for skis, then mark your calendars now: Vail Resorts has announced opening dates for the 2023/24 ski and ride season at its largest resorts in the Rockies and across the West.
The season will kick off as early as mid-October at Keystone Resort in Colorado, pending early season snowfall (with some help from the resort's state-of-the-art, energy-efficient snowmaking system). The remainder of Vail’s ski resorts will be open by December 1. Opening dates are subject to change based on conditions, but projected opening dates start with Breckenridge and Vail Mountain in Colorado on November 10; Heavenly (CA), Northstar (CA) and Park City Mountain (UT) on November 17; Beaver Creek (CO) and Crested Butte (CO) on November 22; Whistler Blackcomb (British Columbia) on November 23; and Kirkwood (CA) and Stevens Pass (WA) on December 1. Opening day targets for the remainder of Vail’s resorts will be announced closer to the start of the season.
The season at Vail Resorts will extend into May, offering skiers one of the longest seasons in North America. Several resorts will reveal new or upgraded lifts and gondolas with increased speed and uphill capacity. To preserve the guest experience, lift tickets at each resort will be limited. To make the most of your time on the slopes, Vail recommends purchasing lift tickets in advance. If tickets are sold out online, you won’t be able to purchase them at ticket windows.
Lift ticket availability will be updated on resort websites in the coming weeks, or you can secure an Epic Pass at a discount before September 4 when the price goes up. The Epic Pass offers up to 65% off lift passes, plus other perks—like discounts on lodging rates and early-access to preferred winter lodging—to help you save and maximize time on the slopes.
Another way to maximize ski time is the forthcoming Mobile Pass & Mobile Lift Ticket on the new My Epic app. The new technology will allow you to buy your pass or lift ticket online, activate and store it on your phone in the My Epic app, and get scanned via Bluetooth, so you won’t need to visit the ticket window or wait to receive your pass or lift ticket in the mail. The move supports Vail's Commitment to Zero sustainability commitment, over time reducing the waste created by plastic cards and RFID chips.
Find out more about the upcoming season at Vail Resorts on their website.