Early-Season and Thanksgiving Skiing in Vail

By Patrick W. Davis, Director of Sales & Marketing

Early Season in Vail

Vail Mountain is scheduled to open for the 2026 to 2027 season on November 13, 2026, about two weeks before Thanksgiving. Early season brings opening-week terrain and village events building toward the holidays, plus a lodge at Golden Peak with a full kitchen and gas fireplace in every residence.

Manor Vail Lodge on a snowy evening with warm lights glowing among evergreen trees.

At a Glance

Opening day for the 2026 to 2027 season is scheduled for November 13, 2026.
Thanksgiving falls on November 26, 2026.
The Lionshead Tree Lighting is scheduled for November 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Manor Vail Lodge is a five-minute walk to Vail Village and steps from the Riva Bahn Express Lift.

Opening Day in Recent Seasons

Opening day has been scheduled for early to mid-November in recent seasons. In 2023, Vail opened on November 10, its earliest opening since 1998. Vail's snowmaking is designed to open Mid-Vail terrain from day one.

The Eagle Bahn Gondola rising over a snowy mountainside in Vail, Colorado.

Confirm which lifts and runs are operating on the official Vail website and check the lodge's live mountain cam before you plan your first morning.

Village Events in Early Winter

Vail's early-winter apres programming has included silent discos, ice-skating shows, tree-lighting ceremonies and live music. Discover Vail lists a Silent Disco for November 25 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., and the Lionshead Tree Lighting for November 27 at 6:00 p.m. in Lionshead Village. Both fall within Thanksgiving week. Later, the Vail Village Tree Lighting is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Children's Fountain in Vail Village. Confirm each event on the Discover Vail calendar, since schedules can change.

Guests walking through Vail Village in winter.

Why a Residence Suits Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving trip is a chance to bring the family together, and the residences at Manor Vail Lodge suit a gathering. Every residence has a full kitchen, a gas fireplace and a private balcony or patio. Two- and three-bedroom residences are about 1,400 square feet.

A residence living room with a fireplace and sofa.

Start the day with the hot breakfast buffet included for registered guests and return to apres-ski cookies and hot chocolate, which are included as well. Two heated outdoor pools and four hot tubs are open year-round. A resort service fee applies in addition to the room rate. Confirm what the fee includes when you book.

Getting to the Lift

The lodge sits at the Golden Peak base, steps from the Riva Bahn Express Lift at Chair 6, with complimentary ski valet at the lift. Vail Village is a five-minute walk. The lodge is not ski-in/ski-out. The Vail Ski and Snowboard School's Golden Peak campus is just across the street from the lodge.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Vail open for the 2026 to 2027 season?

Opening day is scheduled for November 13, 2026.

What terrain is open early in the season?

Check the official Vail website for the terrain and lifts operating on the day you ski.

What is happening in Vail around Thanksgiving?

Discover Vail lists a Silent Disco on November 25 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the Lionshead Tree Lighting on November 27 at 6:00 p.m. Both fall in Thanksgiving week. Confirm the details on the Discover Vail calendar.