The final Vail Resort in Lake Tahoe – Kirkwood Mountain – will open Friday (Dec. 4) for the 2020-21 ski season.
Opening Day and week-of reservations for Kirkwood began Wednesday. Reservations will be required every day of the season, with pass holders receiving priority access.
Because early-season access is reserved for season pass holders, lift tickets for the day don’t go on sale until Dec. 6. For the 2020/21 season, lift tickets will only be sold on Vail Resorts’ websites or through resort call centers.
For more information and to make reservations, skiers and snowboarders should visit EpicPass.com.
The two other Vail Resorts in Tahoe are already open for skiing and snowboarding. Both Northstar California and Heavenly Mountain were the first Tahoe ski resorts to open for the season – on Nov. 20.
Kirkwood and Diamond Peak are both opening Friday, bringing the number of Tahoe ski resorts open to 11.
CHECK OUT THE TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENINGS LIST BELOW
KIRKWOOD TERRAIN: For its opener, Kirkwood will be operating three lifts. The resort, located off Highway 88, opens with more than 187 acres of beginner and intermediate terrain. Chairlifts will open at 9 a.m. and skiers and riders will be able to enjoy the mountain until 4 p.m.
By the Mountain Village, Solitude (Chair 5) will provide access to Lower Zachary, Mokelumne, Lower Monte Wolfe, Outlaw and Lower Olympic.
At Timber Creek, TC Express (Chair 7), Bunny (Chair 9), will provide 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 will be available for ski and ride school guests only.
Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood will continue to expand and open terrain as conditions allow. Guests are encouraged to visit SkiHeavenly.com, NorthstarCalifornia.com and Kirkwood.com for updates on terrain, conditions, and the approach to safety this winter.
COVID SAFETY: Face coverings will be required to access all three Vail Resorts. That includes all indoor spaces, in any line, in chairlifts and gondolas, and whenever skiers or riders are unable to maintain physical distance.
Kirkwood will have grab-and-go food options available every day at Timber Creek Lodge and Monte Wolfe’s from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the General Store from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Restrooms will be open with limited capacity. Kirkwood encourages guests to bring their own water, food and snacks.
HEAVENLY OPENING MORE TRAILS: Heavenly will open additional terrain Friday on the Nevada side of the resort, as well as skiing and riding access via the Heavenly Gondola. Skiing and riding will be available in both California and Nevada, accessible from the California Lodge and Heavenly Village base areas.
Additional runs opening in Nevada are California Trail, Tamarack Return, Big Dipper, Orion and Big Easy. Access to the Nevada and California sides of the resort will be 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 chairlift openings are Tamarack Express, Dipper Express, Big Easy, Baby Bear Carpet. Sky Express will open only for skiing access to Nevada.
HEAVENLY SIGHTSEEING: Starting Friday, and 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.
EARLY SEASON CONDITIONS: With limited early-season terrain, skiers and riders can expect certain days to book up. As resorts expand terrain, they will be able to accommodate more guests.
Closed trails may contain hazards due to limited natural snow coverage and snowmaking operations. For safety purposes, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood require all skiers and riders to observe all posted signs and warnings.
PASS HOLDER SALE DEADLINE: The Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic Day Pass and entire suite of pass products, each providing unbeatable value, stops 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.
TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENINGS
- Heavenly: opened November 20
- Northstar: opened November 20
- Mt. Rose: opened November 20
- Boreal: opened November 23
- Squaw Valley: opened November 24
- Alpine Meadows: opened November 24
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: opened November 25
- Sugar Bowl: opened November 27
- Soda Springs: opened November 27
- Kirkwood: December 4
- Diamond Peak: December 4
- Homewood: December 11
- Tahoe Donner: December 11
- Granlibakken: December 18
