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Winter is coming, and that means it’s time to slip on those snow boots, get a fresh wax for your powder-shredding skis or snowboard, and head to your favorite mountain. Want to know when you can hit the slopes at Colorado’s resorts? We’ve got you covered. Be sure to bookmark this page as we will be updating it weekly as opening dates and celebrations are confirmed.
Last updated 11/18/19
October 11
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
A-Basin won the #RaceToOpen on Friday, October 11 when it announced it would run lifts from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and offer $15 lift tickets for the afternoon session. On the heels of the longest ski season in the resort’s history (October 19, 2018 to July 4, 2019), A-Basin started making snow on Wednesday, October 2.
October 12
Keystone Resort
Keystone was almost the first resort in Colorado (and North America!) to open for the 2019-2010 ski season. Over the summer, Keystone updated its snowmaking to a state-of-the-art, automated, energy-efficient system, which allowed them to open earlier than any other mountain.
October 25
Loveland Ski Area
Loveland started making snow on October 3 this year and announced it will open October 25—the third mountain to spin lifts this season. Along with A-Basin and Steamboat, Loveland will be partnering with the SnowStang bus service to provide direct roundtrip rides from the Front Range up to the slopes for just $25.
October 31
Wolf Creek Ski Area
Wolf Creek moved its start day up a day early to celebrate Halloween. Beginner and intermediate skiers can look forward to the opening of Wolf Creek’s newest run, Orion’s Beltway. And for its 80th anniversary, Wolf Creek will re-open its nostalgic high-speed D. Boyce Palma Lift, which has been on the back-burner while new lifts were being installed.
November 1
Eldora Mountain Resort
As one of the Front Range’s best terrain-park destinations, it’s no surprise that Eldora has acquired a new Zaugg terrain-shaping machine to construct some new consistent and innovative park features for its upcoming season.
November 2
Winter Park
The big October snowfall had a huge impact on the other side of Berthoud Pass, where Winter Park announced it would open two weeks ahead of schedule. And it’s out with the old and in with the new this year. Winter Park is upgrading its Sunnyside Chairlift, which services the famous Mary Jane Territory, to a new state-of-the-art, high-speed, six-person lift, which will shorten the ride from eight minutes to just under four, to get you and your buddies on the powder as quick as possible.
November 8
Breckenridge Ski Resort
Breckenridge is stepping it up this year with the opening of its new Peak 8 Base area, all new ski facility, and upgraded snow making equipment. To kick off the opening celebration, guests can enjoy complimentary waffles and DJ music on the snow. The official first chair celebration and banner-breaking will take place on the Colorado SuperChair.
Copper Mountain
Experts will be happy to hear that Copper is debuting a new chairlift, the Three Bears Lift, on Tucker Mountain to give easier access to its extreme terrain. On the weekend of opening day, enjoy live music, giveaway prizes, and some planned activities to celebrate the new season.
November 15
Vail Ski Resort
Vail is undergoing the largest snowmaking expansion in the mountain’s history and adding nearly 200 acres of new and enhanced snowmaking terrain to its exiting 430 acres. This will ensure a pre-Thanksgiving opening day each year and allow visitors to hit more diverse terrain earlier in the season.
Steamboat Springs Resort
Steamboat is recording its earliest opening in its 57-year history, thanks to the early season powder. To celebrate, the resort is offering $50 for the first week of the season, free Smartwool socks will be given to the first 100 guests, and free breakfast burritos will be available until they run out. What else is new at the acclaimed resort this year? The gondola is getting an update after over 30 years, increasing its capacity by nearly 40 percent and shaving a few minutes off of your trek up the mountain.
November 22
Monarch Mountain
In honor of its 80th anniversary, Monarch will be opening two new runs, Serendipity (blue) and Pinball (black), which became possible after a Spruce beetle infestation forced the mountain to cut down most of its dying large trees. Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
November 23
Purgatory Resort
Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
Aspen Mountain
Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
Snowmass
As part of Snowmass’ $600 million base village renovation, the resort will be introducing a new community center, known as The Collective, which will feature a new restaurant, bar, and game room. The resort will also be opening a new $2.5 million remodeled Italian restaurant at the top of Sam’s Knob. Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
November 24
Silverton’s heli ski season starts in November, but the highest and steepest ski area in North America isn’t open for guided skiing until December.
November 27
Beaver Creek
Get ready to ride down some fresh powder, because Beaver Creek is adding 250 acres of lift-served, welcoming ski terrain for beginner and intermediate skiers in the new year. Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
This season, Crested Butte will debut the new Teocalli Lift, which will increase uphill capacity by 50 percent and make it a quicker track for those looking to access the front side of the mountain or lap some of its trickiest trees. Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
November 28
Telluride Ski Resort
Telluride is debuting 40 new acres of gladed, expert terrain off of Lift 9 that will feature steep shoots and rock drops. Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
November 29
Echo Mountain
Echo will be treating its tubers to a new food truck, 2 Mile Pie, near the tubing hill to reenergize guests with pizza, drinks, and snacks throughout the season. The resort has also released new season pass options, including night and midweek season passes. Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
December 7
Ski Cooper
Get ready to explore Ski Cooper’s 70 new skiable acres on its east-facing slope. The resort is prepping for a big season with 19 new named trails and gladed areas, mostly double black diamonds, in the new Tennessee Creek Basin area. Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
Aspen Highlands
Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
Buttermilk
Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
December 13
Granby Ranch
Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.
Powderhorn Mountain Resort
After a long day of careening, refuel at Powderhorn’s new food and beverage location in the form of an Umbrella Bar at the base area of the resort. Opening Day events will be updated as the date nears.