Vail, CO – Colorado’s Vail Mountain opens at 9 a.m. today for the 2011-12 ski and snowboard season with access from both Vail Village and Lionshead.

Skiers and snowboarders will have access to 10 trails or more than 160 acres of skiable terrain for opening day, serviced by the Born Free Express Lift (#8), Little Eagle Lift (#15),  Vista Bahn Express Lift (#16) and the Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19). Skiers and snowboarders will also have access to approximately 10 small to medium terrain park features on Born Free. This is the third consecutive season that the resort has been able to offer a terrain park experience to guests on opening day. Additional terrain will open to the public as soon as conditions and weather permit.

Guests can begin their EpicMix Photo experience using the resort’s new smartphone app in both the Lionshead and Vail Village base areas with special opening day photo opportunities with friends and family as well as with the Vail Ski Patrol and their avalanche dogs. The opening day festivities will also include $1 breakfast burritos and complimentary hot cocoa in both base areas. Proceeds from burrito sales will go to the Vail Veterans Program.

Both the Lionshead and Vail Village lift ticket/season pass and Vail Ski & Snowboard School offices will be open in addition to the Small World Nursery at the Golden Peak Children’s Center.