vail resorts update

November 28 2001:

BIGGEST STORM IN A DECADE

The biggest storm in a decade has dumped more than five feet of fresh powder at Vail this week allowing the resort to announce that it will open its legendary back Bowls and the New Blue Sky basin terrain a week earlier than scheduled.

Historically, Vail anticipates opening both the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin by the Christmas holiday. Due to recent snow storms, the terrain now will open a week earlier on Saturday 15 Dec.

"This is one of the largest storms that many people in Vail have seen in almost a decade," said Bill Jensen, Vail chief operating officer. "Weather forecasts are calling for two additional storms in the next four days with a promising outlook into early December."

With 60 inches of snow this month, Vail has surpassed its cumulative, annual historical average for this time of the year.

Snow Predicted to Continue
Vail is currently under a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service. Forecasts are calling for additional snow through Wednesday and additional storms are predicted in the area beginning Thursday and Saturday.

Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Keystone have all been receiving substantial snow falls; overnight on 26 Nov. Beaver Creek had 25cm, Breckenridge 23 and Keystone 10cms. Anybody considering an early ski holiday in Vail Resorts will be sure of great powder conditions.