The Vail Resorts in Tahoe keep getting closer to being 100-percent open, and will bring in the New Year with some fun celebrating.
CHECK OUT SEASON SNOW TOTALS (below) FOR ALL 14 TAHOE RESORTS
Kirkwood Mountain was one of the first Tahoe ski resorts to have its entire mountain open for skiing and snowboarding. Thanks to its large snow total of 158 inches, second among Tahoe ski resorts, Kirkwood was able to open 100-percent of the mountain prior to the Christmas holidays. The resort, located off Highway 88 in the South Lake Tahoe region, had 17 inches of snow over the past week.
Heavenly Mountain has 27 of its 28 lifts available and just opened Round-A-Bout on Friday (Dec. 27), which allows skiers and riders to ski to the bottom of the Cal Lodge without downloading. Located in bustling South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly has a California and Nevada side to its mountain, and right now if offering 4,120 acres of skiable terrain.
Located off Highway 267 in Truckee, Northstar California received 19 inches of snow in the past week, and now has accumulated 149 inches this season. There’s lots of runs – 86 trails – open for the busy Christmas holidays, and the resort has 2,200 acres of skiable terrain.
“Our resorts have outstanding conditions right now and those skiing and riding have been thrilled,” said Vail Resorts spokesperson Kayla Elias.
All three Vail Resorts have festivities planned for New Year’s Eve. Check out the details below.
Heavenly New Year’s Eve: Billed as Heavenly Holidays, Dec. 31 will feature fireworks, a ball drop countdown and lots of live music, from 2-9:30 p.m. at the Heavenly Village. The musical lineup includes DJ CashMaster, Austin Mo Experience, Garage Boys (Las Vegas’ Top Party Band, CJ Solar #1 Hit Writer, Florida Georgia Line, Mark McKay, and others. Country Superstar Jerrod Niemann is the headliner.
The countdown for the (New York Times Square) ball drop at the Gondola begins at 8:50 p.m. and it comes down at 9 p.m. The fireworks and streamer blast follow the ball drop. Niemann will begin playing at 8:40 p.m. on the top of the parking garage. Admission is free.
For complete schedule, go here.
Kirkwood New Year’s Eve: The celebrating at Kirkwood includes a Torchlight parade, bonfire and fireworks at the resort.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. the morning of Dec. 31. There will be a DJ in the Kirkwood Village from 5:30-7:30 p.m. At 6:15 p.m., Kirkwood will begin loading guests on its Chair 5, prepping for the parade. The chair will be a tremendous seat for viewing the Torchlight parade that comes down the mountain, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
A fireworks show starts at 7 p.m. and there will be live music at the Cornice Grill from 8 p.m. until midnight.
For complete schedule, go here.
Northstar New Year’s Eve: The resort will have music and entertainment all afternoon and into the evening hours at the Northstar Village. The headliner is Hip Service at 7 p.m. The fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
Northstar is encouraging guests to use the complimentary Truckee Shuttle to get to and from the event.
For complete schedule, go here.
SEASON SNOW TOTALS (Dec. 26)
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 160 inches
- Kirkwood Mountain: 158 inches
- Squaw Valley: 151 inches
- Northstar California: 149 inches
- Mt. Rose: 148 inches
- Alpine Meadows: 145 inches
- Sugar Bowl: 141 inches
- Soda Springs: 138 inches
- Boreal Mountain: 138 inches
- Heavenly Mountain: 138 inches
- Homewood Mountain: 115 inches
- Diamond Peak: 83 inches
- Tahoe Donner: NA
- Granlibakken: NA
