Kirkwood now open for 2020-21 season; joins Heavenly and Northstar

Kirkwood Mountain Resort kicked off a successful start to the 2020-21 ski and ride season Frday. With a winter operating plan focused on comprehensive safety protocols, Kirkwood opened with more than 180 acres of beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain.

By the Mountain Village, Solitude (Chair 5) provided access to Lower Zachary, Mokelumne, Lower Monte Wolfe, Outlaw and Lower Olympic. At Timber Creek TC Express (Chair 7 ) and Bunny (Chair 9 ), provided access a range of progressive terrain including Free ‘N’ Easy, Hole ‘N’ Wall, Home Run, Janes Jaunt, Up ‘N’ Over, Squirrel Ridge, Funny Bunny, Graduation and School Run. Additionally, the Wonder Carpet was available for ski and ride school guests.

Also Friday, Heavenly opened additional terrain on the Nevada side of the resort, as well as skiing and riding access via the Heavenly Gondola. Skiing and riding is now available in both California and Nevada, accessible from the California Lodge and Heavenly Village base areas.

Runs that opened today in Nevada include California Trail, Tamarack Return, Big Dipper, Orion and Big Easy. Access to the Nevada and California sides of the resort is available from either the Heavenly Gondola or California Lodge base area, with Sky Express chairlift providing access via the Skyline Trail to link the two sides. Additional chairlifts now open are Tamarack Express, Dipper Express, Big Easy, Baby Bear Carpet. Sky Express is open only for skiing access to Nevada.

For the remainder of the season, Heavenly’s sightseeing will remain open with limited availability and reduced hours of operation in order to prioritize the skiing and riding experience. There will be no online purchase option for sightseeing and guests can purchase at the Gondola Ticket Windows starting at 10:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

This season, safety takes on more importance than ever at Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and across all Vail Resorts mountains. A few of the key ways the resort is prioritizing safety this winter include:

1. Face Coverings: Guests are required to wear a face covering in all aspects of the operation, including in line, while riding lifts and gondolas and in all facilities.

2. Reservations: Reservations are required for all guests so that the resort can manage access and allow for physical distance.

3. Sick? Stay Home: Anyone who is sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must stay home. Please cancel any reservation to give other skiers and riders a chance to ski and ride.

4. Re-Imagined Mountain Experience: New operating procedures are in place across the resort, including lift and gondola loading, in Ski School, F&B and rental locations.

5. Cashless Transactions: For the best experience, book and pay online in advance.

6. Follow State Guidelines: Know, follow and adhere to California’s COVID-19 measures https://covid19.ca.gov/

Guests are encouraged to visit SkiHeavenly.com, NorthstarCalifornia.com and Kirkwood.com for updates on winter operations and new safety procedures. Each resort will continue to expand and open terrain as conditions allow.

Opening Day and week-of reservations for Kirkwood began on Wednesday. Priority Reservation Days for the core season (Dec. 8-April 4) for Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood are also available for pass holders. For more information and to make reservations, guests should visit EpicPass.com.

Early Season Conditions
With limited early season terrain, skiers and riders can expect certain days to book up and as resorts expand terrain, they will be able to accommodate more guests. Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood require all skiers and riders to observe all posted signs and warnings. Closed trails may contain hazards due to limited natural snow coverage and snowmaking operations. For the safety of all guests, please keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.

Dec. 6 is the Last Chance to Purchase the Epic Pass and Entire Suite of Products for the 2020/21 Season
The Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic Day Pass and entire suite of pass products, each providing unbeatable value, go off sale Sunday, Dec. 6. For the greatest value and access, guests should lock in their pass sooner than later. Additionally, there are now only a few days left of the exclusive booking window for pass holders to lock in up to seven Priority Reservation Days for the core season before lift tickets go on sale Dec. 8.