Vail Resorts Announces Opening Dates for Winter 25/26 Season

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 2:33 PM ET

WINTER. IS. COMING. Is this Game of Thrones reference played out yet?

Anyway, Vail Resorts just announced opening dates for some of their biggest and most beloved ski areas, which must mean winter is truly on it's way.

With less than 75 days to go, target opening dates have been set for resorts across the Rockies, west coast, and parts of Europe. While these dates are still a bit conditions dependent, many of these ski areas will start snow making efforts as soon as possible and hopefully get some help from Mother Nature as well.

Keep reading for a breakdown of Vail Resorts' planned opening day for Winter 25/26.

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Vail Resorts Early Opening Dates

Colorado's Keystone Resort leads the charge and is currently hoping for an opening day in Mid-October, although an exact date hasn't been set given it's conditions dependent. Breckenridge isn't far behind with November 7 as their target opening and Vail Mountain follows, opening on November 14th.

Vail Resorts Mid-November Opening Dates

Heavenly, Northstar, Park City Mountain Resort, and Whistler Blackcomb are all slated to open on November 21, just a week before Thanksgiving. Beaver Creek and Crested Butte are both set for November 26.

Vail Resorts December Opening Dates

Kirkwood and Stevens Pass will open on December 5th, 2025.

Vail Resorts European Opening Dates

In Europe, Gemsstock at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis in Switzerland is hoping to open on November 15 and Crans-Montana is aiming for November 29.

Vail Resorts East Coast Opening Dates

Vail will announce opening dates for Eastern resorts closer to the beginning of the season, but guests can expect similar dates to years past.

Vail Resorts Off-Season Projects

Several of Vail's biggest resorts will also see massive upgrades for the coming season. Park City Mountain Resort will debut their new Sunrise Gondola, which will replace the Sunrise lift with a 10-person gondola and provide faster, more reliable access out of Canyons Village to Red Pine Lodge. Andermatt-Sedrun-Distentis will add two new six-seater lifts as well and Crans-Montana will debut an updated snowmaking system, which will elevate slope and snow quality.

Vail also recently announced their Epic Friend Tickets program where Epic Pass holders will receive six vouchers for a 50% off discount on lift tickets to Vail's 37 North American resorts.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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