Vail, CO, Opening Day Report: Blue Skies, No Lines, and High Vibes

Skiers and riders broke through the banner after exiting Gondola One on the first day of Vail’s 63rd season. Photo: Author

Report from November 15, 2024

The largest ski resort in Colorado opened the season in style last Friday, November 15, on a beautiful day with five lifts spinning. Bringing visitors to a base area at mid-Vail via Gondola One, Vail Resort opened its signature opening day runs Ramshorn and Swingsville under the Mountaintop Express Lift (4). The Avanti Express Lift (2) was also running with access to The Meadows trail. This additional section of terrain was a bonus opening made possible by ideal November conditions, advanced snowmaking systems, and hard work from staff on the mountain. A beginner learning area was also offered under the Little Eagle Lift (15), served by the Eagle Bahn Gondola (19) from Lionshead Village, for 130 skiable acres on opening day.

Vail Mountain frontside trail map — Skiers and riders loaded up and down the Eaglebahn Gondola and Gondola One, enjoying terrain under lifts 2, 4, & 15.

The conditions were fantastic, and the crowds were light. As the first cabins unloaded and everyone rushed to be hoisted above the famous cliffs and onto Vail’s front-side summit by Chair 4, others elected to ski down Upper Lion’s Way and hop on the Avanti Express. From the top of this lift, The Meadows trail provided freshly groomed corduroy skiing with pockets of powder left by ski patrol to be played with, all the way down to the mid-vail base area. After our first run down from the top of Chair 2, we skied right onto #4 and began the beautiful, five-minute trip up past the cliffs and onto the summit. From here, we turned right onto Ramshorn and enjoyed an uncrowded slope with the sun shining upon us. Coming off the left from the top of Chair 4, Swingsville offered an equally enjoyable experience with soft snow and clear skies. The crowds were well dispersed, and the 130 acres of terrain provided a much more playful experience than typical on opening day. Vibes were high, and this superb start to the beginning of the season generated lots of excitement for locals and would-be visitors.

Soft snow sprays from a skier coming down Swingsville; there isn’t a cloud in the sky. Photo: Author

Vail always offers a memorable experience; this season’s opening day was no exception. Free treats before the first cabin and flatbread pizza in the village complimented a full morning of great early-season skiing. The fun is just beginning at Vail this season, with more terrain to come and a full lineup of world-renowned musicians coming to perform at the mountain this upcoming season. Seeking to become “the world’s premier alpine music venue,” the famed ski town will see shows this season headlined by huge names in the electronic music scene, such as Grammy award-winning Tiesto, John Summit returning for his “Experts Only” show, and a third year of “Après at The Amp” featuring L’Impératrice, Jungle, and Goth Babe. Vail will be open daily for the remainder of the season and expand terrain offerings as snow continues to fall, with a few inches predicted to fall early this week.

Check out more photos below, and book your trips as soon as possible before prices go up.