Vail Snowboarding Lessons

It’s a beautiful day, now that the season is here. The lifts are about to turn and yes, Vail, CO does have snow. This time last year we were bone dry. No snow. Vail opened two weeks late last year, not this time.

Surrounding resorts have been open for a while now, Abasin, Breckenridge, Keystone, Loveland and Copper. However, all those seem to pail in comparison to Vail and it’s more than 5,000 ski and rideable terrain. Yet, today we have only one run open – Born Free. Well, technically there is also Chair 15 … the bunny hill. Albeit a bunny hill, it is at the top of the gondola, and it is covered in the white stuff. Two runs are open for opening day 2008.

I waited in line with friends in great anticipation. Vail was giving away donut holes and broadcasting music to all at the base of Born Free and the Gondola. I wonder why they don’t have music playing all the time at the chairlift bases? Aspen does, and Beaver Creek, and the Beav is Vail owned? I like it.

The day was awesome, I rocked up in new boots. They’re sweet, but stiff – Burton SL10s. It will take a few weeks to break these puppies in. The snow was more than acceptable for opening day. Granted it was all groomed corduroy, but the slope was covered, not really any brown spots like you would expect on opening day.

I enjoyed about 8 laps on chair 8 and Born Free before my legs were burning. If this is any sign, it’s going to be one heck of a season. I can’t wait for more snow. They say with another 8 inches they will be able to open more runs and lifts!