Vail Resorts : Kirkwood Mountain Resort to Open the Entire Mountain While Heavenly and Northstar Expand Skier and Rider Access

***Recent Photos and B-Roll available here for Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood ***

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. - Dec. 6, 2018 - Kirkwood Mountain Resort plans to open the entire mountain Saturday, Dec. 8, weather permitting, making it the first fully-open resort in the Tahoe Basin. Mother Nature continues to provide expanded terrain at Northstar California and Heavenly Mountain Resorts beginning today, Dec. 6 through Saturday, Dec. 8.

Kirkwood has received more than seven feet of snow to date allowing the resort's mountain operations team to prepare to open the backside of the mountain to skiers and riders ahead of schedule. The Iron Horse, Caples Crest, and Sunrise Lifts are all scheduled to start spinning this weekend, offering access to intermediate and expert terrain.

'Kirkwood's location in the Sierra allows us to take advantage of every flake that falls,' said Kirkwood Vice President and General Manager Tom Fortune. 'We receive the most snow in the Lake Tahoe basin and it's dry to boot. This expanded terrain is the result of excellent early season snow conditions and ongoing preparation from our mountain operations team.'

Heavenly Mountain has also been receiving plenty of fresh snow, making it possible for Stagecoach chairlift to begin operating today, with plans to open the California side of the resort and the Tram on Saturday. The expanded terrain, weather permitting, will offer access to an additional 48 acres of intermediate and expert terrain at Stagecoach Lodge, and more than 60 acres of scenic terrain above the California Lodge.

On the North side of the lake, Northstar California plans to open skier and rider terrain on the Backside and Zephyr regions on Saturday. These additional areas provide significantly more intermediate and advanced terrain, accessed by Tahoe Zephyr Express and Backside Express respectively, for a diverse experience to accommodate various skier and rider abilities.

All projected terrain expansions are made in coordination with the current forecast and are subject to change with the weather. For daily updates on terrain and mountain conditions, visit SkiHeavenly.com, NorthstarCalifornia.com, and Kirkwood.com.

About The Best of Tahoe Resorts
Collectively, Heavenly Mountain, Northstar California and Kirkwood Mountain Resorts offer guests unmatched variety, the highest standard of guest service, the most terrain with 10,270 skiable acres, and access to the region's finest snow surface conditions through state-of-the-art snowmaking and acclaimed natural snow depth. The Best of Tahoe resorts, subsidiaries of Vail Resorts, Inc., represent the essence of Lake Tahoe's spirit. Each resort's individual characteristics complement one another and combine to offer skiers and riders the Best of Tahoe experience.

Media Contact:
Stephanie Myers, Northstar California, [phone], [e-mail]
Zak Sos, Best of Tahoe Resorts, [phone], [e-mail]

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