Vail, Breck to reopen for skiing this weekend

Huge snowfall in April prompts surprise decision

With two feet of new snow since closing day on Sunday, April 14 -- and more than three feet over the past three days -- Vail will reopen for skiing and snowboarding Friday, April 19, through Sunday, April 21.

And Vail Resorts officials announced Breckenridge, which has received over five feet of snow so far in April, including another 16 inches since closing on Sunday, will also re-open April 19-21.

“We’ve received some of the best snow we’ve seen in years at Vail over the last few days,” said Chris Jarnot, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “With the tremendous conditions we felt this was a great opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary season for one more weekend at Vail and to thank our loyal guests and local partners.”

As of Tuesday, Vail planned to open more than 2,400 acres of terrain served by the following lifts: Gondola One, Avanti Express Lift (#2), Wildwood Express Lift (# 3); Mountaintop Express Lift (# 4); High Noon Express Lift (#5); Born Free Express Lift (#8); Northwoods Express Lift (#11) and the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Lifts will open at 9 a.m., and there will be no beginner terrain available.

At Breck, 16 inches of new snow has fallen since the official closing on Sunday, April 14.

“After skiing some amazing powder turns on Closing Day and more heavy snow in the forecast this week, we just don’t have the heart to shut down Breck’s lifts just yet,” said Pat Campbell, senior vice president and COO at Breckenridge Ski Resort. “We can’t deny how great the conditions are, so this is a great opportunity for all of our guests to take advantage of a few extra days and enjoy more of the spring skiing and riding we all love here in Breck.”

Skiing and snowboarding at Vail and Breck this weekend will be free for 2012-13 season pass holders. Lift tickets will be available for purchase at reduced day rates, and a special $25 ticket will be available for guests who hold season passes from non-Vail Resorts ski areas. For more information on tickets and terrain, go to www.Vail.com and www.breckenridge.com.

	24hr snow	mid dpth	snow cond.
A-Basin	n/a	n/a
Aspen	n/a	n/a	closed
BC	n/a	n/a	closed
Breckenridge	n/a	n/a	closed
Buttermilk	n/a	n/a	closed
Copper	n/a	n/a	closed
Crest. Butte	n/a	n/a	closed
Eldora	n/a	n/a	closed
Heavenly	n/a	n/a	closed
Highlands	n/a	n/a
Howelsen	n/a	n/a	closed
Keystone	n/a	n/a	closed
Kirkwood	n/a	n/a	closed
Loveland	n/a	n/a
Monarch	n/a	n/a	closed
Northstar	n/a	n/a	closed
Powderhorn	n/a	n/a	closed
Purgatory	n/a	n/a	closed
Silverton	n/a	n/a	closed
Ski Cooper	n/a	n/a	closed
Ski Granby	n/a	n/a	closed
Snowmass	n/a	n/a	closed
Steamboat	n/a	n/a	closed
Sunlight	n/a	n/a	closed
Telluride	n/a	n/a	closed
Vail	n/a	n/a	closed
WinterPark	n/a	n/a	closed
Wolf Creek	n/a	n/a	closed
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