The resort opened today with lift served riding, making it the first ski resort in the United States and Colorado to officially open for the 2012/13 season.

After a long summer, low temperatures and cool nights allowed snowmakers at the area to make snow – assisted by Mother Nature’s occasional dustings – throughout the previous weeks. The cold temperatures and the traditionally competitive Opening Day race fueled enthusiasm riders, and once again propelled Colorado to the forefront of snowboarding.

“There has been an infectious optimism about the season ahead,” explained Colorado Ski Country USA President and CEO, Melanie Mills. “Strong pass sales over Labor Day weekend were a pre-cursor to the recent chatter we’ve seen on social media, and the buzz has gathered momentum with snowfall in the mountains. The combination of cooperative weather, diligent work from Arapahoe Basin’s snowmakers and pent up excitement from loyal riders has culminated in today’s spectacle: hundreds queuing up for the first runs of the season. It’s official, Colorado is open for ski business.”

During the last 10 years, the traditional race to open has been a friendly, yet competitive affair. Last year’s surprise candidate, Wolf Creek, opened on October 8 after an early season storm piled up 44 inches. The excess snow almost precipitated Wolf Creek beating out Loveland’s record 2009 opening of October 7 for the earliest this century. Loveland still holds the earliest opening (Oct. 7, 2009), most victories (five and one tie), and deepest Opening Day base depth (24 inches in 2004), in the past decade.

Today, Arapahoe Basin opened Black Mountain Express lift servicing the intermediate High Noon trail, which is 1,000 feet long, and has an 18-inch base that was complete after 12 days of snowmaking.

Colorado’s Opening Day extravaganza witnessed approximately 2,000 people testing out Arapahoe Basin’s product. The prevailing enthusiasm for the upcoming snow season was punctuated by a temperature of 21 degrees as first chair departed for the top of the mountain.

It is anticipated that Loveland Ski Area will be close on the heels of Arapahoe Basin in its Opening Day quest. With other Colorado resorts also making snow, CSCUSA projects that more resorts will open in the next several weeks. 

Below is a current list of scheduled opening dates for CSCUSA member resorts*.

OPENING DATES 2012-13

Aspen Highlands

December 8

Aspen Mountain

November 22

Buttermilk

December 15

Copper Mountain

November 2

Crested Butte

November 21

Eldora

November 16

Howelsen Hill

December 1

Loveland

Mid October

Monarch Mountain

November 21

Powderhorn

December 13

Purgatory at DMR

November 23

Silverton Mountain

December 1

Ski Cooper

November 22 – weekends only until December 14

Ski Granby Ranch

December 12

Snowmass

November 22

Steamboat

November 21

Sunlight

December 7

Telluride

November 22

Winter Park

November 14

Wolf Creek

November 2

*All dates are based on snow conditions and are subject to change.