Though summer is still in full swing, Vail Resorts is already looking ahead to winter. This week, the company revealed the target opening dates for many of its ski resorts across North America and Europe¡ªand the snowy season is less than 75 days away.

All opening dates are subject to change, based on the weather and conditions, but here¡¯s a quick look at when Vail¡¯s properties hope to open this year:

• Mid-October: Keystone
• November 7: Breckenridge
• November 14: Vail Mountain?
• November 15: Gemsstock at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis?
• November 21: Heavenly, Northstar, Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb
• November 26: Beaver Creek, Crested Butte?
• November 29: Crans-Montana?
• December 5: Kirkwood, Stevens Pass

Vail Resorts will share details about its resorts on the East Coast at a later date, but skiers and snowboarders should expect opening dates to be similar to those in years past.

The 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a big one for Vail Resorts. Whistler Blackcomb is celebrating its 60th anniversary, while Heavenly will mark 70 years of skiing and riding. On the East coast, Okemo will celebrate its 70th anniversary and Liberty is celebrating its 60th.

In Colorado, Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Resort, Keystone Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort will be launching a new technology in the My Epic app. Parents and students participating in Ski and Ride School will be able to check in for lessons, receive real-time updates and photos, track progress, and celebrate milestones and skills with digital badges, all from their phones.

Keystone will welcome the new Kindred Resort at the base of River Run Gondola, featuring ski-in, ski-out residences along with a RockResorts-branded hotel. This new development will also be the new home of Keystone Ski and Ride School, as well as slopeside retail and rental.?

Park City Mountain will unveil its brand new, high-speed 10-person Sunrise Gondola, which replaces the Sunrise limited-access lift. The resort has also upgraded its beginner terrain and the kids' Ski and Ride School area at Red Pine Lodge, and it¡¯s bringing back the Orange Bubble Bite, a free daily sweet treat made with orange, rosemary and honey.

In Switzerland, Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis is adding two new six-person chairlifts, which will better connect Val Val to Cuolm Val and Val Val to Calmut, significantly increasing uphill capacity and reducing lift wait times. Crans-Montana Mountain Resort has upgraded its snowmaking equipment throughout the Verdets area with new energy-efficient snow guns.

Vail Resorts¡¯ properties will also host several competitions this year. Beaver Creek is once again welcoming members of the U.S. Men's Ski Team and racers from around the world for Birds of Prey, which is an Olympic qualifier. And Whistler Blackcomb will host the World Ski and Snowboard Fest in April.

Vail Resorts is also making it easier for skiers to bring their friends to the slope. The company has unveiled Epic Friend Tickets, which means friends of Epic Pass Holders can enjoy half-price lift tickets at the company's 37 North American resorts for the 2025/26 winter season. Season-long pass holders will receive six to 10 Epic Friend Tickets, depending on when they purchase their pass. Friends can also apply 100 percent of the cost of one redeemed Epic Friend Ticket toward an eligible 2026/27 Epic Pass.?

Epic Passes are still on sale, though prices will go up after September 1. And, good news, for the 2025/26 season, no Epic Pass resorts will require advanced reservations. Skiers and riders can choose between the Epic Pass, the Epic Local Pass, Epic 1-7 Day Passes and other options.

All Epic Passes come with Epic Mountain Rewards, which offer discounts on food and beverage, lodging, group ski and ride lessons, equipment rentals and more. Everyone can access the company¡¯s handy mobile app, My Epic.?

My Epic Gear is back for its second year, offering guests access to the latest gear from the top brands for a seasonal membership fee. Skiers and riders can reserve in advance in the My Epic app for a low daily use fee that includes slopeside pick-up and drop-off at one of 12 participating resorts.

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