Vail, Beaver Creek ring in the new year with terrain openings and a full serving of events

As the year comes to a close, Vail and Beaver Creek are pulling out all the stops to spread skiers out and then bring them back together for a full serving of exciting events to send off 2025 and welcome 2026.

“While this may not have been the start to the season we were expecting, our teams have made the best of temperatures to continue opening more terrain,” Lee Nielsen, senior manager of communications for Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek said Monday. “With the help of Mother Nature this week we were able to open three additional lifts, Riva Bahn (6) in Golden Peak, Northwoods (11), and Sourdough (14) helping us expand to 750 acres.”

Nielsen added she is also excited to “see everyone in the village” for all the holiday festivities. “We have daily DJs in the morning at Gondola One until Friday, Jan. 2, Après All Day at Express Lift from 2-5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, and we will have our Festive Fireworks show on New Year’s Eve. Don’t miss the music and the fun this New Years,” she said.

New Year’s Eve fireworks in Vail

• 6 p.m. – short fireworks show. *Please note there is no torchlight ski down parade this year
• For more details and to look at the estimated fireworks viewing area map, go to DiscoverVail.com.

Over in Beaver Creek, snowmaking teams are also “taking advantage of the conditions and building on the 4 inches of fresh snow we received Saturday night,” said Eric Dunn, communications manager for the resort. “We were excited to open the Red Buffalo trail on Sunday, Dec. 28, and our teams continue to work hard and focus on snowmaking across the mountain. As we head into the holiday week, there’s also plenty happening in Beaver Creek Village, and we’re looking forward to ringing in the New Year.”

New Year’s Eve fireworks and celebrations in Beaver Creek

• Slopeside DJ at 4:30 p.m.
• Ski down parade – Level 5 skiers and snowboarders are invited to ski or ride in the ski down parade at 6 p.m. Register for the ski down parade at the Group Lessons Center from 4:30-5:45 p.m.
• First fireworks show at 6:15 p.m. and a second fireworks show at 10 p.m.
• Winter light circus – street entertainment like jugglers, fire dancers, break dancers, aerialists and more acts along with ice skating and shopping in the boutiques and art galleries
• Go to BeaverCreek.com for more details

Vail Daily entertainment reporter Tricia Swenson contributed to this article.