The usual three ski areas started up snowmaking in the last couple days. Loveland, Arapahoe Basin, and Keystone are all in the race to be first to spin lifts. Could happen by Halloween given that a big snowstorm is expected the week of Oct. 11.
Top-to-bottom is a lot longer out in Colorado than in New England. From my observation, having one top-to-bottom trail open is the goal. So it really depends on how much Mother Nature helps out in the next couple weeks.Won't it be sooner if they've already started?? That's what I like about early season in the East, once the guns get going it's just a few days until go time!
And remember that a lot of the western resorts only have snowmaking on the lower portions of the mountain. Not like us in the east top to bottom.
I think A Basin only has snowmaking on the lower portions, and Dercum's Guluch to mid station.
I think that's been changing for the destination resorts in the Rockies. I know Keystone upgraded their snowmaking in recent years to make sure they could get a top-to-bottom blue open from Day 1. Once ABasin left Epic, that made it even more important to be able to open up Keystone as early as possible.And remember that a lot of the western resorts only have snowmaking on the lower portions of the mountain. Not like us in the east top to bottom.
What I found very different from the east is that snowmaking in the west pretty much used to end by early Jan, if not mid-Dec if there was enough natural snow coverage. The goal of course is to have as much open as possible for the holiday period. That's been shifting in recent years at destination resorts though.Interesting, I didn't know that actually!
I think that's been changing for the destination resorts in the Rockies. I know Keystone upgraded their snowmaking in recent years to make sure they could get a top-to-bottom blue open from Day 1. Once ABasin left Epic, that made it even more important to be able to open up Keystone as early as possible.
Don't know about ABasin. Maybe @RachelV knows?
Hmm, I'll keep that in mind. My usual crew is skiing Wolf Creek the week of Dec. 13. I decided to drive to Colorado instead of dealing with holiday week flights on the way home. I'll be driving back east via Cleveland to drop off Jason. That means the two of us could stop by ABasin on the way out of Colorado.However, with Keystone being on the Epic Pass and no one wanting to use Ikon days for the WROD, A-Basin is pretty empty early season now, which is pretty sweet.
Cleveland rocks... what does Jason do?Hmm, I'll keep that in mind. My usual crew is skiing Wolf Creek the week of Dec. 13. I decided to drive to Colorado instead of dealing with holiday week flights on the way home. I'll be driving back east via Cleveland to drop off Jason. That means the two of us could stop by ABasin on the way out of Colorado.
After a week in Pagosa Springs, I should be pretty adjusted to the altitude. That's always an issue for me at ABasin.
He's a family physician and professor at a medical school, recently semi-retired. His family and my husband's family were connected decades ago when they were growing up in Chicago. Jason's wife is a non-skier and so is my husband. Jason was my ski/travel companion for my first Diva West. We went to north Tahoe in 2010 and had a grand time.Cleveland rocks... what does Jason do?
Well, turns out that Wolf Creek is going to scoop the ski areas/resorts that started snowmaking first. WC is going to spin lifts this weekend! The storm dropped 14 inches.
Saturday, October 16th, and Sunday, October 17th, Wolf Creek will open the Nova Lift and Lynx Lift from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Grooming is taking place with Mountain Operations evaluating Treasure and Bonanza terrain. Please check back for updates as the weekend approaches.
The Upper Lodge will be open serving a delicious, but limited menu. Pathfinder Bar, Ski Rental and Boarder Dome will be open. Ski School will be available with Private Lessons. Face coverings will be required in all indoor public settings. A full 2021-22 COVID-19 Operating Plan can be found on here.
Wolf Creek will then reopen weekends until Mother Nature comes again with a new venue.