Vail Mountain, one of the largest ski resorts in the world, opens for opening weekend summer operations on Friday, June 6 beginning at 9 a.m. Gondola One in Vail Village and the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead will operate for weekend scenic rides, June 6 to 8, until daily summer operations begin on Friday, June 13.
For opening weekend Adventure Ridge will provide thrills and chills with two lanes of snow tubing. Other activities will include the climbing wall, and Vail’s new four-line zip line and north ropes challenge course, which were completed in August 2013.
The zip-line, located west of the current tubing hill lift and accessed by the Adventure Skyway (#28), offers guests a high-flying rush as they zip through the sky amongst magnificent mountain views of the Gore Range. The ropes challenge course features various elements to maneuver including ladders, rope bridges, swinging logs, cargo nets and more, all within the safety of a harness and at three difficulty levels.
Vail’s Gore Creek Mini Golf course, situated at the base of the Born Free Express Lift (#8) across from the Lionshead ticket office, also opens on Friday, June 6, offering putting fun for all ages on nine, par-three holes. The bungee trampoline adjacent to the Eagle Bahn Gondola will also be available.
Later this summer, guests can look forward to two more new activities at Adventure Ridge geared towards younger guests, including a single-line, 200-foot-long kids zip line and beginner kids low ropes course.
Beginning Friday, June 6, the Berrypicker trail will be open for hiking between Vail Village and Lionshead. Additional hiking trails and mountain biking trails as well as bike hauls will be offered as soon as conditions permit.
For opening weekend, Sarge’s at Mid-Vail and Talon’s Deck at Eagle’s Nest will serve lunch. The Bistro Fourteen bar will also be open. Bistro Fourteen and Game Creek Restaurant are slated to open for normal summer service beginning Thursday, June 26. This summer, The 10th, Vail Mountain’s newest sit-down restaurant, will open for lunch Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning Friday, July 4.
Lift tickets are required to ride Gondola One and the Eagle Bahn Gondola during the summer and can be purchased at the Vail Village or Lionshead Ticket Offices. 2014–2015 season pass holders receive unlimited, free scenic access to the both gondolas. Guests who have not yet secured a pass for next winter can purchase one online at www.epicpass.com.
Bikes will be allowed up Gondola One until 4 p.m. and the Eagle Bahn Gondola until 6 p.m. as soon as conditions allow.
For more information about Vail Mountain visit www.vail.com, or stop by the Mountain Information Center in Lionshead or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).
Images Courtesy of Vail Resorts, photos by Jack Affleck
