Several
resorts in Colorado have taken advantage of cold nighttime temperatures
and ideal humidity conditions over the past several weeks. Arapahoe
Basin and Loveland Ski Area
began making snow on the evening of Friday, September 27, and have made
snow or received natural snow most days since then. New snowmaking
equipment upgrades, ideal snowmaking conditions, and recent natural
snowfall have added to Arapahoe Basin’s base accumulation
resulting in the resort’s current packed powder conditions. Today
skiers and riders accessed the Black Mountain Express lift and enjoyed
skiing on intermediate run High Noon.
“Seeing skiers and snowboarders taking
their first turns of the season
is one of the highlights of the year,” said Colorado Ski Country USA
President and CEO, Melanie Mills. “Since the first high country
snowstorms several weeks ago, we’ve seen the enthusiasm in skiers and
snowboarders building towards this day. Thanks to helpful
weather patterns and the hard work of Snowmakers and groomers, all of
Colorado’s resorts will open with top notch products our guests will
enjoy.”
The
recent autumn snow storms and early winter season conditions brought a
robust crowd to Arapahoe Basin today, signifying skiers and riders are
more than ready
to enjoy Colorado’s signature winter sports. “Resorts continue to focus
on the guest experience, with everything from safety to service,”
continued Mills. “Whether the emphasis is on families, learning or
value, visitors can expect the same qualities from
resorts this year that keep them coming back to Colorado season after
season.”
Amid
all of the Opening Day celebrations, Colorado’s Governor, John
Hickenlooper, congratulated Arapahoe Basin on being first to open
saying, “It’s still fall but the 2013/14
ski and snowboard season is open for business in Colorado.” He
continued, “Tourism and recreation are some of our most visible and
important industries in Colorado, not to mention key economic drivers,
and with today’s grand opening we are looking forward
to a fun-filled and snowy year on the slopes.”
The
race to host Opening Day is one of the highlights of the ski season, a
title often held by Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin or Loveland. Both resorts
are perched atop the Continental
Divide giving them higher elevations, earlier frosts and colder
temperatures. This also allows them to stay open long into the spring
giving Colorado one of the longest ski seasons in the country.
After the jump is a current list of scheduled opening dates for CSCUSA member resorts*.
Listed by Resort Name:
Arapahoe Basin: October 13, 2013 – Early June 2014
Aspen Highlands: December 14, 2013 – April 13, 2014
Aspen Mountain: November 28, 2013 – April 20, 2014
Buttermilk: December 14, 2013 – April 6, 2014
Copper Mountain: November 1, 2013 – April 13, 2014
Crested Butte: November 27, 2013 – April 6, 2014
Eldora: November 22, 2013 – April 13, 2014
Howelsen Hill: November 30, 2013 – March 16, 2014
Loveland: Mid October 2013 – Early May 2014
Monarch Mountain: Mid November 2013 – April 13, 2014
Powderhorn: December 12, 2013 – March 30, 2014
Purgatory: November 29, 2013 – March 30, 2014
Silverton: December 21, 2013 – April 13, 2014
Ski Cooper: December 14, 2013 – April 6, 2014
Ski Granby Ranch: December 11, 2013 – April 6, 2014
Snowmass: November 28, 2013 – April 20, 2014
Steamboat: November 27, 2013 – April 13, 2014
Sunlight: December 6, 2013 – March 30, 2014
Telluride: November 28, 2013 – April 6, 2014
Winter Park: November 13, 2013 – April 20, 2014
Wolf Creek:
November 8, 2013 – April 6, 2014
Listed By Open Date:
October 13: Arapahoe Basin
Mid October Loveland
November 1: Copper Mountain
November 8: Wolf Creek
November 13: Winter Park
November 22: Eldora
November 27: Crested Butte, Steamboat
November 28: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Telluride
November 29: Purgatory
November 30: Howelsen Hill
December 6: Sunlight
December 11: Ski Granby Ranch
December 12: Powderhorn
December 14: Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Ski Cooper
December 21: Silverton
*Dates are subject to change.
