Apparently the picnic table just outside my office door is tipped very slightly to the west.
Whenever it snows, and then warms up to about 33 degrees, the blanket of snow starts to slide ever so slowly in that direction. I’m often amused by nature’s artwork as a result.
These pictures were all taken of the snow here in Vail in the last few weeks.
Vail is known for its epic skiing in the winter and its multitude of events in the summer. Well, winter is also chock full of events. It is a spectacular place for a winter getaway regardless of whether you ski.
Get in the holiday spirit November 29, 2013 with the Beaver Creek 33rd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and 11th Annual Gingerbread House Competition.
Snow Daze. Photo courtesy Vail Resorts, Zach Mahone.
The winter season truly kicks off with Snow Daze December 9-15. This year’s entertainment lineup will include free headliner concerts from Rebelution on Friday, Dec. 13 and Matisyahu on Saturday, Dec. 14. Just announced Nov. 14, Big Head Todd and The Monsters will complete the entertainment lineup for Vail Snow Daze 2013. Vail Snow Daze takes place Dec. 9-15, 2013.
All Vail Snow Daze concerts are free of charge and will be held at Vail’s Ford Park. The schedule of activities for Vail Snow Daze 2013 will also include the return of the sponsor expo village and gear demos at the base of Gondola One, Dec. 13-15, as well as après and after-dark parties in the Town of Vail throughout the week.
Vail Family Holidaze returns December 20-22 and December 31, 2013 with ice-skating performances by world-champion ice skaters, tree lighting and the New Year’s Eve Torchlight Ski Down and fireworks. Holidaze typically includes a candy cane patrol, kids zones (free event stations with holiday crafts), the Vail Arctic Express train rides, Santa’s Workshop and more), family movie nights, Dickens Carolers and then concludes with New Year festivities (Torchlight Parade of ski instructors and Vail locals form a glowing train of as they ski down Golden Peak with glowing sticks, followed by a fireworks display).
Holidaze. Photo courtesy Vail Resorts, Tom Green.
Beaver Creek hosts their annual Winterfest December 21-31, 2013. Winterfest includes a multitude of performances, interactive activities, winter characters, parades, contests, holiday lights and more!
Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships returns to Vail, Colorado March 3-8, 2014. The Burton US Open and Vail will host over 100 of the world’s best riders like Shaun White, Mark McMorris, Kelly Clark, Torah Bright, Jamie Anderson, Iouri Podladtchikov and more, for four days of progressive Halfpipe and Slopestyle competitions that offer over $340,000 in cash prizes.
April 2-5, 2014 the Taste of Vail will showcase more than 30 of Vail’s finest chefs and restaurateurs alongside the owners and winemakers from nearly 50 of the countries’ top wineries.
An athlete competes in the World Pond Skimming Championships. He takes to the air in the hopes of making it across a freezing pond before sinking. Photo Credit: Tom Green, Courtesy Vail Resorts
Spring Back to Vail, the biggest end-of-season bash in the Rocky Mountains, returns to Vail April 7-20, 2014! This celebration concludes the season in style with some serious fun under the sun, including free live concerts, the infamous World Pond Skimming Championships, après after-dark parties, base area giveaways, and so much more!
And, of course there is so much else to do all season long from world-class shopping to snowshoeing, ice skating, sleigh rides and tubing and ski biking up at Adventure Ridge.
With two feet of new snow since closing day, and more than three feet over the past three days, Vail will reopen for skiing and snowboarding Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 21.
Today, two days after the ski season ended, Vail Resorts made an announcement that set social media abuzz–they are extending the ski season and reopening the mountain for one additional weekend! What a fantastic way to close out the 50th anniversary. With two feet of new snow since closing day, and more than three feet over the past three days, Vail will reopen for skiing and snowboarding Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 21. Here are the details…
As of today, Vail plans to provide skiers and snowboarders access to more than 2,400 acres of terrain and the following lifts this weekend:
Lifts will open at 9 a.m. There will be no beginner terrain available.
Skiing and snowboarding at Vail this weekend will be free for 2012-2013 season pass holders. Lift tickets will be available for purchase at the Lionshead Children’s Ski School office and at the ticket office in Mountain Plaza for $50. A special $25 ticket will be available for guests who hold season passes from non-Vail Resorts owned and operated resorts. Guests will have the opportunity to apply their weekend ticket purchase towards the purchase of a Vail Resorts 2013-2014 season pass.
Vail Ski & Snowboard School
The Vail Ski & Snowboard School will be open for private lessons only based out of Lionshead and Vail Village.
On-Mountain Dining
Dining will be available at Mid-Vail, Marketplace at Eagle’s Nest and Buffalo’s.
UPDATE: In honor of this 50th anniversary ski season extension the Antlers is offering an extended winter special of $139 per night for Studio, 1 Bedroom or 1 Bedroom Bunk Condo (Valid 4/19 – 4/22).
We are waiting for more snow but we are certainly skiing in Vail everyday! Some pictures and a video for you below. I joined a couple of guests from New York City this afternoon. We mainly stuck to runs in Northwoods and Chair 14 (Sourdough lift). The western U.S. has been very dry this winter and yet we are open with 1500 acres. Conditions are hard packed until we receive some more snow, so stick to the groomed runs for now. You can ski the bumps (and we do) but they are icy between the tops. We are hoping for 2-5 inches by Sunday morning.
Heading down towards mid-Vail
Looking over towards Vail’s mountain top
Skiing under Sourdough lift in Vail January 6, 2012
Best runs were off of Chair 14 in Vail
Vail mountain opened Chair 11 Northwoods today with First Step, South Rim, Northstar, Northwoods, and a few other trail names we can’t remember. Here is a quick pic of us ready to go into First Step. Light snow, maybe 1 inch with snow showers throughout the day. Everyone is curious if Chairs 14 (Sourdough) and Chairs 7 (Gamecreek) are next for opening.
We were walking around in the courtyard in short sleeve shirts on Tuesday and put on a few extra layers on Wednesday with the recent Vail snow.
Wax those skiis and boards. Find that parka and wool socks. Make that reservation.
It has begun.
Courtyard Scare Crow wasn't ready for this
No matter what the weather, these guys never get along
With the snow finally falling this morning here in Vail and Loveland Mountain and A-Basin opening this weekend, I think it’s safe to say the winter ski season has begun! 
So get out your skis and boards and gear up! If you know you are going to ski or ride more than 7 days this season there is still time to get an Epic Pass , it is the best deal, and if you have to travel to get here there are some great specials out there. Vail Snowdaze has an amazing lineup this year with some good hotel specials and you can’t beat free concerts! Vail is also introducing a new family oriented festival called Vail Holidaze, from December 18th to 25th.
There is still time to recieve “Book By November 1st” specials here at the Antlers
This April has just been amazing for snow at the Antlers at Vail hotel in Vail Colorado. Someone said we received 8 feet of fresh snow this past month and I believe them. This Wed-Sat we received anywhere from 18-24 inches of additional snow. Some pics nearVail mountain below were taken on Friday, others today on Sunday May 2nd. You can easily ski all the way to the bottom of the Vail ski mountain at this time. Up on top, the Forest Service snow depth shows 64 inches of base (or 5 feet of settled snow). Not too bad for May 2nd. Chris R.
April 30th, outside the Antlers at Vail hotel
Snow chair
Walking along the Vail Bike path April 30th
Sunday May 2nd photo towards the ski slopes
April 7th, 19 inches of new snow in Vail today. That makes 32 inches in the last two days. I don’t know about you but I think I’m going skiing today. More updates once we get out there. Chris R.
Picture from April 6th provided by the ski mountain.
Oh boy, it looks like April might be our best month for snow in the 2009-2010 ski season. Vail mountain reported another 2 inches of new snow at 6am. Light snow all morning so far and more on the way perhaps on Tuesday. Hope to get you pictures late this afternoon.
Afternoon update: it warmed up, so the snow at the bottom was turning to corn. Most of the powder in the Back Bowls turned to mashed potatoes. Bumps were soft. Below are some pictures mostly from the Front Side of Vail Mountain. Chris R.
Riding Chair 3
Riding Chair 4
Look Ma and South Look Ma bumps
Photo of snowy tree, snow clouds in the distance. Not bad for April 4th
More snowy trees. I’ll title this photo “Snow on Trees” and sell it for lots and lots.
Happy, happy, happy
