santacruz skier
Angel Diva
Saw them around Banff and LL
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Colorado 19-20
- Thread starter RachelV
- Start date
marzNC
Angel Diva
Interesting to read that Keystone used to be part of the "open first" group back in the 1980s and 1990s. That was before snowmaking became crucial for early season top-to-bottom coverage in Colorado.
Oct. 2, 2019, The Denver Post
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone start making snow, with a rival not far behind. Which will open first?
Keystone wants back in the race to be first Colorado ski area to open.
" . . .
Keystone hasn’t been the first Front Range ski area to open since 1997, and it hasn’t opened in October since 2001, but there was a time when it competed annually for opening day spoils. In the 1980s and ’90s, before Arapahoe Basin installed snowmaking, the battle was an annual duel between Keystone and Loveland. From 1982 through 2001, Loveland was first to open 10 times and Keystone was first 10 times, although three of Keystone’s wins were photo finishes when both areas opened on the same day and Keystone used its lights to open before sunrise, getting a jump on Loveland by two or three hours in the quest for bragging rights.
Then in 2002, Arapahoe Basin installed snowmaking equipment. From 2003 through last year, Arapahoe Basin was the first Front Range area to open nine times, Loveland was first five times and they tied twice. Wolf Creek, a small area 250 miles from Denver in southern Colorado, actually beat both of them four times since 2011, thanks to ample early natural snowfall.
. . ."
Oct. 2, 2019, The Denver Post
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone start making snow, with a rival not far behind. Which will open first?
Keystone wants back in the race to be first Colorado ski area to open.
" . . .
Keystone hasn’t been the first Front Range ski area to open since 1997, and it hasn’t opened in October since 2001, but there was a time when it competed annually for opening day spoils. In the 1980s and ’90s, before Arapahoe Basin installed snowmaking, the battle was an annual duel between Keystone and Loveland. From 1982 through 2001, Loveland was first to open 10 times and Keystone was first 10 times, although three of Keystone’s wins were photo finishes when both areas opened on the same day and Keystone used its lights to open before sunrise, getting a jump on Loveland by two or three hours in the quest for bragging rights.
Then in 2002, Arapahoe Basin installed snowmaking equipment. From 2003 through last year, Arapahoe Basin was the first Front Range area to open nine times, Loveland was first five times and they tied twice. Wolf Creek, a small area 250 miles from Denver in southern Colorado, actually beat both of them four times since 2011, thanks to ample early natural snowfall.
. . ."
You going?
Not sure I can swing Friday this week (and WOW is the forecast COLD), but I would definitely go on Saturday and maybe also Sunday.
We'll see what happens!!
Little Lightning
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
CDOT and Colorado Parks and Wildlife has completed this project on route 9, between Silverthorne and Kremmling, on the way to Steamboat. The pictures are wonderful. Didn't think about the little guys, skunks and rabbits, trying to make the crossing too.
https://cpw.state.co.us/hwy9
marzNC
Angel Diva
The videos and pictures are really helpful to see how the wildlife use the structures. Should have plenty of data since the projects on this stretch of road were completed in 2016.
Well, A-Basin is opening this afternoon for a few hours, Keystone opens tomorrow, and Loveland is close behind. Ski season is here.
Al's Blog post:
https://arapahoebasin.blogspot.com/2019/10/we-are-opening-today.html
"The race to be the first to open in Colorado and the country is always a treat. Vail has announced that Keystone is opening tomorrow. I know Loveland is right on their tail. Congratulations to both resorts.
We are proud to announce that we will open Black Mountain Express today, Friday, October 11, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM."
I guess A-Basin REALLY didn't want to lose to Keystone this year. I think one of the comments on the blog post says it best: "this is so petty. love to see it."
Al's Blog post:
https://arapahoebasin.blogspot.com/2019/10/we-are-opening-today.html
"The race to be the first to open in Colorado and the country is always a treat. Vail has announced that Keystone is opening tomorrow. I know Loveland is right on their tail. Congratulations to both resorts.
We are proud to announce that we will open Black Mountain Express today, Friday, October 11, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM."
I guess A-Basin REALLY didn't want to lose to Keystone this year. I think one of the comments on the blog post says it best: "this is so petty. love to see it."
Little Lightning
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
The only ski area that has beat A-Basin the last few years is Wolf Creek. They want to keep their record going. Way to go A-Basin.
Little Lightning
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
$15 lift tickets if you don't have a pass, $5.00 beer and some food. Awesome gift to the locals.
A-Basin probably didn't get much more than $15 from Vail when they were on the Epic pass. With Keystone opening I imagine early season will be much quieter this year.
A-Basin probably didn't get much more than $15 from Vail when they were on the Epic pass. With Keystone opening I imagine early season will be much quieter this year.
just jane
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I am laughing so hard!! Totes agree with, “this is so petty - love to see it.”
As an Epic pass holder, I’m personally bummed that A Basin left the Vail partnership but I don’t blame them and this is frickin’ hilarious. Also, not really a Keystone fan and it just seems wrong that they should get the first-open nod.
As an Epic pass holder, I’m personally bummed that A Basin left the Vail partnership but I don’t blame them and this is frickin’ hilarious. Also, not really a Keystone fan and it just seems wrong that they should get the first-open nod.
Little Lightning
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Estimates are a 1,000 skiers showed up. Looks like this might have been planned all week.
https://www.9news.com/article/life/...ening/73-7391fb30-d3b7-425b-b14f-e3de4080f095
https://www.9news.com/article/life/...ening/73-7391fb30-d3b7-425b-b14f-e3de4080f095
Well, I skied A-Basin on Saturday and the lack of crowds was amazing. If this is the new early season A-Basin experience, sign me up.
I skied Keystone on Sunday and it was full, but not "I'm risking my life by being here" crowded. I do have to say that, while the terrain they have open is a green, the quality of the WROD was overall better.
A+ opening weekend all around. Psyched for ski season.
I skied Keystone on Sunday and it was full, but not "I'm risking my life by being here" crowded. I do have to say that, while the terrain they have open is a green, the quality of the WROD was overall better.
A+ opening weekend all around. Psyched for ski season.
Ski Sine Fine
Angel Diva
I am SO jealous. Can’t wait till December when I get out there!
marzNC
Angel Diva
Looks like Steamboat will be able to do as much snowmaking as they would like after the storm coming in the next few days. Temps are going to be plenty cool enough. Opening day is Nov. 23, 2019. I'm not getting to Steamboat until mid-Feb, but of course will be paying attention to snow conditions long before that. 
The Early Season 3-Day pass for $169 is good Nov. 23 thru Dec. 20. Deadline to purchase is Oct. 31.
The Early Season 3-Day pass for $169 is good Nov. 23 thru Dec. 20. Deadline to purchase is Oct. 31.
marzNC
Angel Diva
The only time I skied Steamboat was back in the 1990s. It was a quick trip and I don't remember having any altitude issues. The elevation is just under 7000 ft. Given that I can handle going straight to Alta, which is at 8000 ft., I don't expect to have any issues. Plus I'll have been skiing for over a week by the time I get to Steamboat.
One of the reasons I'm curious to check out Steamboat is that it's at a lower elevation. Plus I can get timeshare lodging if I plan way in advance.
@NewEnglandSkier has more experience at Steamboat.
