Colorado Is Officially Open For Skiing
LOVELAND SKI AREA, Colo. (CBS4) - Loveland and Arapahoe Basin ski Areas both opened Thursday much to the delight of skiers and boarders who have been waiting to hit the slopes because of Mother Nature.
"The warm fall weather delayed the start of snowmaking this year, but Mother Nature finally came through," Rob Goodell, Loveland Ski Area director of business operations, said in a statement. "A winter storm delivered 17.5 inches of natural snow last week and brought the cold temperatures our snowmakers had been waiting for. They have done an incredible job getting the mountain ready for the first skiers and riders of the season."
Lift 1 is now running from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
"(It) will provide skiers and riders with access to one top-to-bottom run covered from tree-to-tree with an 18 inch base," Dustin Schaefer with Loveland Ski Area said.
The trails Catwalk, Mambo and Home Run will be open on Thursday offering more than a mile and nearly 1,000 vertical feet of skiable slopes.
"We will continue to make snow on the bottom portion of the mountain, but the coverage up top is outstanding," Goodell said. "We have been waiting all summer for this moment and invite everyone to come up and help us kick off the ski season."
Ticket, season pass and rental facilities opened at 8 a.m. at A-Basin and the Black Mountain Express lift began running at 9 a.m.
After a late start to winter, A-Basin said recent cold temperatures and a combination of man-made and natural snow helped them open this week.
"The recent cold weather and currently snowy conditions allow for a tremendous start to the season at Arapahoe Basin," said Alan Henceroth, Arapahoe Basin Chief Operating Officer in a statement. "Despite what will be a later-than-average opening, both natural snow and our snowmaking efforts have given us a great snow surface to start with. We cannot wait to have our guests back to enjoy the mountain."
Keystone and Wolf Creek are scheduled to open on Nov. 6. Copper Mountain was originally scheduled to open on Nov. 6 but pushed that date back to Nov. 13. Breckenridge is scheduled to open Nov. 13, Vail on Nov. 20 and Beaver Creek on Nov. 25.
LINK: Colorado Ski Resort Projected Opening Days
Check the status of trails & lifts at Colorado ski resorts in the CBSDenver.com Ski Report section.
