Fact Sheet

2013 Vail Mountain Summer Fast Facts

Location
Vail Mountain is located 100 miles (160 km) west of Denver, 140 miles (230 km) east of Grand Junction and is easily accessible via the Eagle Airport, located 35 miles (56 km) to the west, all along the Interstate 70 corridor.
 
Summer 2013 Gondola Dates & Hours
 
Gondola One (Vail Village)
Weekend operation, Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• June 7-9 and 14-16

Daily Operation, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Thursday, June 20 – Monday, Sept. 2

*Bikes will be allowed up Gondola One until 4 p.m.
**Activities and dining for summer 2013 will be based out of Eagle’s Nest
 
Eagle Bahn Gondola (Lionshead)
Daily Operation

• Thursday, June 20 – Monday, Sept. 2
• Sunday – Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Open Additional Weekends, Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Sept. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29.
• Adventure Ridge and Talon's Deck for dining Friday, Saturday & Sunday

*Bikes will be allowed up the Eagle Bahn Gondola until 6 p.m.
 
On-Mountain Dining Dates & Hours

• Talon’s Deck
  • Daily summer operations begin Thursday, June 20 through Monday, Sept. 2.
  • Sunday – Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Thursday – Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Open weekends-only Sept. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29
• Bistro Fourteen
  • Summer operations begin Thursday, June 20 through Sunday, Sept. 1.
  • Thursday’s & Sunday’s, 4 to 9 p.m.
  • Friday – Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Game Creek Restaurant
  • Regular summer operations begin Thursday, June 20 through Sunday, Sept. 1.
  • Thursday – Saturday dinner and après begins at 5:30 p.m.
  • Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

By the Numbers

• Vail Mountain Elevations:
  • Base Elevation 8,120 ft. /2,476 m
  • Mid-Elevation: 10,250 ft. /3,125 m
  • Peak Elevation 11,570 ft. /3,527 m
  • Vertical Rise 3,450 ft. /1,052 m
• Mountain Biking Trails: 52.75 miles of trail
• Hiking Trails: 24.8 miles of trail

**Please note that some biking and hiking trails will be closed for Summer 2013 due to construction. Remember to observe all posted signs and closures.
 
Summer Climate

• Average Daytime Temperature: 75 degrees
• Average Nighttime Temperature: 45 degrees
• Vail receives an average of 300 days of sunshine a year with little-to-no humidity, although weather can change in a matter of hours

Flora & Fauna

• The earliest wildflowers bloom in April.
• By July, wildflowers abound, sometimes waist deep in mountain meadows as in China Bowl on Vail Mountain.
• By mid-September, leaves from the aspen trees that engulf the Vail Valley, turn a brilliant gold, lasting about three weeks.
• Wildlife is often viewed in the backcountry and includes fox, deer, elk, marmots, beaver, coyotes, moose, black bears and bighorn sheep.

History

• During the 1800s, Ute Indians and pioneer hunters roamed the peaceful valley that is present-day Vail.
• In 1854-56, mountain explorers, Jim Bridger and Lord Gore, explored the area. The high mountain peaks surrounding Vail to the east were named the Gore Range by Bridger in honor of his friend.
• In the 1940s, a group of ski enthusiasts from the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division were exposed to the area's majestic mountains while training at Camp Hale near Leadville during World War II
• Following the war, veteran 10th Mountain Division soldiers Pete Seibert, Bill "Sarge" Brown and Bob Parker returned to the Gore Valley with dreams of establishing a ski area in the beautiful mountain area. Through hard work and endless dreaming, Vail was established by the trio in 1962.

For more story ideas, facts and figures, photos and the latest news from Vail Mountain and Vail Resorts, visit http://news.vail.vailresorts.com
 
Vail Mountain Media Contacts
Liz Biebl, (970) 754-3001, ebiebl@vailresorts.com
Sara Lococo (970) 754-4528, slococo@vailresorts.com
Consumer Site: www.vail.com or Mobile Consumer Site: http://m.vail.com
 
General Vail Summer Media Contact
Kristin Yantis, Malen Yantis Public Relations, (775) 351-7904, kyantis@myprco.com