Kirkwood Opens With 30 Inches Of New Snow And New General Manager

Kirkwood Mountain Resort kicked off the 2018-19 season with a 6 inch blanket of fresh snow , which fell over the past 24 hours. Lifts started spinning at 9 a.m. with eager skiers and riders lined up at the base, awaiting first tracks.

• Kirkwood Mountain Resort opened today for the 2018-19 season 
• The Resort welcomes new Vice President and General Manager, Tom Fortune
• Kirkwood has received over 30 inches of fresh snow since Wednesday

The resort has received 30 inches of new snow since Wednesday. Kirkwood is opening with the following lifts and terrain: Snowkirk Chair is spinning with access to beginner terrain on Snowkirk and Hay Flat, from top to bottom. Solitude Chair includes access to intermediate terrain on Outlaw (formerly Racecourse), from top to bottom; off-piste intermediate terrain is available on Lower Zachary, Lower Monte Wolfe, Mokelumne; and advanced terrain on Lower Olympic.
 
Passholders were treated to free breakfast sandwiches starting at 9 A.M. Also on the schedule for opening day: snack, ski and ride gear giveaways. Guests enjoyed a break from the slopes and après in the afternoon with live music in the Kirkwood Village. All retail outlets, on-site lodging and a majority of the Resort’s restaurants were open for business serving up drinks and food. There to welcome incoming guests, was Kirkwood’s new Vice President and General Manager Tom Fortune. Tom joined Vail Resorts in 2010 and most recently served as Sr. Director of Mountain Operations at Kirkwood.
 
“I am extremely excited about my new and expanded role at Kirkwood, it’s such an amazing mountain with an incredible team of people,” said Tom Fortune, Vice President and General Manager of Kirkwood Mountain Resort. “Kirkwood truly is a special place to hold this position.”
 
This marks his 40th season in the ski industry, which began at the age of 15 as a rental and repair shop technician at Stevens Pass Resort in Washington. Tom rose through the ranks at the Resort, eventually assuming the position of Director of Operations. He has also held senior roles at Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, Idaho and Snow King Mountain in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Tom lives in South Lake Tahoe with his wife Jennifer and their pooch Lola. His three grown boys live in Washington State and all work in the ski industry.
 
NEW THIS SEASON
The Cornice Pizza makes its debut in the Kirkwood Village with a fun and fresh concept and interior. The inspiration comes from the 80’s with newly installed neon lights and bold colors, preserving the lively spirit of this Kirkwood staple. The menu includes unexpected pairings and traditional favorites, with plenty of build-your-own pie options. Whether it’s a day of riding The Wave, dropping off The Wall with friends, or exploring and learning Kirkwood as a family, The Cornice Pizza is an ideal spot to fill up, share stories and take a turn on the karaoke microphone.