There’s already snow in Colorado—and for Vail Resorts, that means plans for the 2022 ski season are already underway. On Monday, the company announced opening dates, as well as a new cap that will limit the number of walk-up daily lift tickets every day at every one of its 37 North America ski resorts.
The cap will not apply to season pass holders or skiers taking lessons but only to walk-up day tickets–which cost more than $225 at some Vail resorts last winter. Limiting tickets, “alongside the big investments we’re making at our resorts and in our team members, will help us provide our guests with an Experience of a Lifetime this winter,” said James O’Donnell, president of Vail Resorts’ Mountain division. Also on tap are 18 new chairlifts and gondolas and a lessening of Covid requirements, he noted.
The season will open at Keystone Resort in October, followed on November 11 by Mount Snow in Vermont and Breckenridge and Vail in Colorado. Afton Alps, Heavenly, Hunter North Star, Park City, Stowe, and Wildcat will open the following week. The newest resort, Seven Springs in Pennsylvania, will open November 25. (For the full list, go to news.vailresorts.com.)
The company also is investing $300 million in the guest experience for the winter season, including an Epic Lift Upgrade. Vail Mountain, for example, is introducing the Sun Down Lift, a high-speed four-passenger chair that will connect Sun Down Bowl and Wildwood. The family-friendly Beaver Creek Resort will offer Allie’s, Zach’s, and Beano’s fine-dining cabins on the mountain.
As of now, the resort does not expect to require Covid vaccines, masks, or dining reservations.
For early birds, a Winter Getaway sale from August 30 through September 6 will offer discounted rates across the portfolio.
