Welcome back to Vail Mountain for the 2024-2025 winter season! This season brings new dining, live music, a new gear membership, updated app features, improvements to the ski and snowboard school experience, and more. With 35 inches of snow since October and Vail Mountain’s best-in-class snowmaking system, we're excited to kick off the winter season with an unforgettable Opening Day on November 15. Here’s what you need to know for Opening Day:
1. Where to Park: For Opening Day, plan your arrival and parking based on your skiing or snowboarding ability. If you’re a beginner, head to Lionshead Village and Eagle Bahn Gondola (19). If you’re a more advanced beginner or intermediate skier or rider, head to Gondola One in the Vail Village. The Town of Vail offers a convenient and free shuttle bus between villages.
2. Mountain Access: Skip the ticket window and download the My Epic App to use Mobile Pass. Your phone is now your Epic Pass or lift ticket and can easily be scanned right from your jacket pocket. New this year, the My Epic App includes features like Find My Friends and improved stat tracking. The My Epic App also shows Find live and predictive lift wait times to help you plan your day.
3. Plan Your Runs: Early season conditions exist, but so do breathtaking vistas. Gondolas will be spinning in both Lionshead and Vail Village, taking you up to beginner and intermedia trails on Opening Day. We have 130 acres of terrain open. For advanced beginners and intermediates, we recommend Mid Vail’s signature trails Swingsville and Ramshorn. All true beginner skiers and riders should head to Eagle Bahn Gondola (19) for a beginner experience at the learning area and Little Eagle (15). We’ll continue to make more snow to open terrain as quickly as Mother Nature allows.
4. Grab a Bite and Warm Up: On Opening Day, we’ll be offering dining at Buffalos, the Look Ma Level of Mid Vail, Eagle’s Nest Market Place, and Mid Vail’s new bar experience called Powerline Pub. When you head off the mountain, Express Lift will be open for Après cocktails and food – and of course a live DJ!
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Check out the NEW Powerline Pub at Mid Vail
Powerline Pub is coming to Mid Vail this winter as a new on-mountain hangout spot to meet friends, both new and old. Catch a game, enjoy refreshing après cocktails, and grab a bite to eat in a space that pays homage to the history of Vail. Named after a former unofficial, ungroomed run for experts that cut through the trees near Mid Vail, Powerline Pub is located next to Gondola One for easy upload and download, and is accessible for guests on foot.
5. Après-Ski Celebrations: As the sun sets on another unforgettable Opening Day, Vail offers a lively après-ski scene. Here are some of our favorite spots!
Vail Village
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Express Lift: 10th Mountain Whiskey Tastings, signature après cocktails, European beer-hall vibes
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Vendetta’s: Legendary slices of pizza and plenty of beer on tap
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Cucina: mountain-comfort cuisine with a laid-back and family-friendly atmosphere
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Two Arrows: Consistently serves the highest quality coffee, beverages and fresh local provisions
Lionshead Village
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The Belle: Lionshead’s one and only gourmet grab and go for coffee, pastries, and more
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Tavern On The Square: Inspired by contemporary American culinary sensibilities, the Tavern culinary team delivers a global artisan “craft” riff on fusion cuisine
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Garfinkel’s: Lively sports bar with can’t-miss nachos
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Alpine Pizza: Local’s spot for Detroit style slices with a crispy cheese edge
7. Capture the Moment: Don't forget to capture your Opening Day adventures and share with us by tagging @VailMtn!