VAIL MOUNTAIN IS OPEN FOR 46TH SEASON

Colorado-based rock band The Fray to headline Snow Daze early season mountain bash

Vail, Colo. – Nov. 19, 2007 – Vail Mountain is scheduled to open for its 46^th season on Friday, Nov. 21 at 9 a.m. The resort will offer skiing and snowboarding on the Born Free trail, accessible by the Born Free Express Lift (Chair 8) in Vail Square/ Lionshead. The Eagle Bahn Gondola will offer access to beginner terrain in the Little Eagle Lift (Chair 15) area as well as Eagle’s Nest for on-mountain dining at The Marketplace restaurant. Lift tickets on opening day are $65 for adults, $55 for seniors and $45 for children 12 and under. Parking in the Town of Vail’s Lionshead and Vail Village parking structures will remain free this weekend.

Vail’s snowmaking and cat crews have been combining efforts with Mother Nature’s natural snowfall and cold temperatures over the past few weeks to provide skiers and snowboarders with a plentiful early season snow surface in the Lionshead area. On top of the growing base, temperatures are expected to drop this weekend and a series of snow showers are forecasted through the end of the month. Mountain operations crews anticipate opening the Aviator terrain park on the Bwana trail and additional front-side terrain soon after Friday’s opening.

“The beginning of Vail Mountain’s 46^th season is not just an opening of lifts and runs, as much as it is a commitment to delivering the value and service our guests have come to know and expect,” said Chris Jarnot, chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “As a leader in the industry, we’re working hard to open additional terrain in the coming days and to continue offering a premier skiing and snowboarding resort destination that is both safe and fun.”

Keeping in line with its ongoing commitment to quality and service, Vail will be also be opening the doors of the newly remodeled Lionshead Ticket Office and Adult Snowsports School, located at the base of the Eagle Bahn Gondola and the Born Free Express Lift (Chair 8). The upgraded space will better accommodate guests with ticket and pass sales as well as group and private ski and snowboard lessons. The Children’s Snowsports School will also be open for lessons and the Small World Nursery at Golden Peak will provide child care.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, early season visitors to Vail can enjoy countless dining, spa and shopping options, as well as a calendar full of events and entertainment. Kicking off the season, Vail Snow Daze returns Dec. 8-14 with newly announced headliner, The Fray, appearing in Vail on Saturday night at Dobson Arena. The Grammy Award-nominated, Colorado-based rock band will debut songs from its self-titled second album. Other Colorado favorites, Big Head Todd & The Monsters and Leftover Salmon will also take the stage on Dec. 11 and 12 respectively. For tickets and more information, visit www.vailsnowdaze.com.

Vail is making it even easier to partake in early season perks with Ski Free Stay Free lodging and lift packages starting at $353 per person. With two nights of lodging and skiing, the third night and lift ticket are free. For availability and restrictions, call 800-825-9689 or visit www.vail.com. For those who plan on visiting beyond the early season, sales of the popular five-resort, unrestricted Epic Season Pass have been extended through Dec. 1. Visit www.epicpass.com for details.

For more information about Vail Mountain, call Saunders travel at 501-744-6353 or email: ski@saunderstravel.com.

Breckenridge returns to its roots – with a Peak 8 opening

The most popular ski resort in America celebrates its opening day at Peak 8 this year, for the first time in nearly 30 years. While the opening of Peak 8 first is a departure from recent history, it was the traditional opening before Peak 9 opened in 1981, and the original ski resort in Breckenridge was called the Peak 8 Ski Resort. But, don’t think this return to its roots is just nostalgic – it’s to prepare for the newest and largest event Breckenridge Ski Resort has ever hosted.

“Opening Peak 8 first this year gives our mountain operations team every advantage to prepare the mountain and venue for our largest event ever, the AST Winter Dew Tour. The Winter Dew Tour co-sponsored by the Town of Breckenridge, BRC, runs from December 18 – 21, will feature freeskiing and snowboarding disciplines for both men and women with over three hours of live coverage on NBC, two hours on the USA network and four hours on MTV and MTV2,” said Lucy Kay, chief operations officer for Breckenridge Ski Resort.

Breck’s roots might be at Peak 8, but Peak 7 continues to impress. This season’s opening of the highly anticipated new base area at Peak 7 welcomes a new era and a new level of luxury and service featuring high-end lodging at Crystal Peak Lodge, skier services, a new sit-down dining experience at Sevens Restaurant and a new connection between the town and mountain with a first-class, innovative mass transit system via the BreckConnect gondola.

Visit www.breckenridge.com for terrain updates, snow reports and event details. To Book your '08-'09 ski package call SaundersTravel.com at: 501-744-6353