VAIL — Golden Peak was able to open for athlete training earlier than Vail Mountain itself, which also announced an early opening this year.

About 100 athletes gathered on Tuesday, Nov. 13, for the first day competition training for Ski & Snowboard Club Vail athletes. While the training area is known for hosting national teams from all over the world in Vail most Novembers, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail is keeping the training local for the opening week.

“Ski & Snowboard Club Vail is choosing to prioritize local athletes during this first week of Golden Peak operations,” chief operating officer John Hale said on Tuesday. “While the cost of operating the venue is not insignificant, we are thrilled to be able to offer this early season benefit almost exclusively to local athletes before welcoming a broader population of visiting teams to the hill next week.”

In addition to ski racers, freeski and snowboard athletes have a rail garden to use, and moguls skiers also have a practice area. Olympian Morgan Schild, who has won World Cup events in both moguls and dual-moguls competitions, was among the athletes skiing at Golden Peak on Tuesday. …