It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a week since two of North America’s Ski Resorts had announced they were open for the 2019/2020 Ski Season!
In case you missed it, last week Summit County Colorado endured an icy blizzard that dumped snow across the region putting at the fore-front of everyone’s minds the question of which local Ski Resort would open first for Ski Season. Year after year, Arapahoe Basin and Lovelend Ski Area often compete in a “race to open” for exclusive claim to be the “first Ski Resort open in North America”. However, in the past couple of years, Keystone Ski Resorts has also joined in the race… And this year, for a fleeting moment, it looked like Keystone just might take home the title.
According to a release by Keystone mountain, “new equipment combined with ideal early season temperatures, [had] made it possible for Keystone to open earlier than usual” and they announced early Friday morning (October 11th) that, for earliest open date in over 20 years, they would be opening the following day – Saturday, October 12th.
Not one to be out done, and in an unforeseen turn of events, Araphoe Basin announced just hours later (at 1.45pm) that their Ski Season would start in mere hours! And, at 3:30pm that Friday October 11th, the Black Mountain Express started carrying ski and snowboard enthusiasts up the mountain for the first time this ski season. Visitors to Arapahoe Basin’s Opening Day were able to enjoy two hours of skiing and riding on the High Noon intermediate run at discounted, $15 lift ticket rates – and bragging rights to have attended North America’s first official Ski Season Opening Day!
“The race to be the first to open in Colorado and the country is always a treat,” Alan Henceroth, chief operating officer, wrote on the resort’s blog. And having been open for skiing and riding during Independence Day 2019 for the first time since 2011, Friday’s kick off meant the resort was closed just 99 days – its shortest off-season on record!
As scheduled, A-Bay’s (as the locals call it) rival down the street, Keystone, opened Saturday morning with access to the River Run Gondola and the Montezuma Express lift, and terrain via the Schoolmarm, Silver Spoon, and Last Chance runs.
So far, no word from Breckenridge Ski Resort of an early Opening Day (currently scheduled for Friday, November 8th 2019). But, if last year can be of any indication (having opened a week early and extending the ski season not once, but twice!) those anxious to start their Breckenridge Ski Season this year should stay tuned!
Note : Loveland Ski Area, which is also a perennial contender to be the first to open, has not announced when it will begin operations for the season.
Want 20% Off Your Early Ski Stay? Sign Up Below to Receive a Discount Code for all stays November 7 through December 18, 2019 (must book by November 1).
It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a week since two of North America’s Ski Resorts had announced they were open for the 2019/2020 Ski Season!
In case you missed it, last week Summit County Colorado endured an icy blizzard that dumped snow across the region putting at the fore-front of everyone’s minds the question of which local Ski Resort would open first for Ski Season. Year after year, Arapahoe Basin and Lovelend Ski Area often compete in a “race to open” for exclusive claim to be the “first Ski Resort open in North America”. However, in the past couple of years, Keystone Ski Resorts has also joined in the race… And this year, for a fleeting moment, it looked like Keystone just might take home the title.
According to a release by Keystone mountain, “new equipment combined with ideal early season temperatures, [had] made it possible for Keystone to open earlier than usual” and they announced early Friday morning (October 11th) that, for earliest open date in over 20 years, they would be opening the following day – Saturday, October 12th.
Not one to be out done, and in an unforeseen turn of events, Araphoe Basin announced just hours later (at 1.45pm) that their Ski Season would start in mere hours! And, at 3:30pm that Friday October 11th, the Black Mountain Express started carrying ski and snowboard enthusiasts up the mountain for the first time this ski season. Visitors to Arapahoe Basin’s Opening Day were able to enjoy two hours of skiing and riding on the High Noon intermediate run at discounted, $15 lift ticket rates – and bragging rights to have attended North America’s first official Ski Season Opening Day!
arapahoe basin 2019 opening day
Surprise! Arapaho Basin announced their October 11, 2019 Opening Day just hours before the Black Hawk lift started turning
“The race to be the first to open in Colorado and the country is always a treat,” Alan Henceroth, chief operating officer, wrote on the resort’s blog. And having been open for skiing and riding during Independence Day 2019 for the first time since 2011, Friday’s kick off meant the resort was closed just 99 days – its shortest off-season on record!
As scheduled, A-Bay’s (as the locals call it) rival down the street, Keystone, opened Saturday morning with access to the River Run Gondola and the Montezuma Express lift, and terrain via the Schoolmarm, Silver Spoon, and Last Chance runs.
keystone resort 2019 opening day
Although a day later than Arapaho Basin, the Keystone Resort ski area opening on October 12, 2019 with additional operational lifts and terrain
So far, no word from Breckenridge Ski Resort of an early Opening Day (currently scheduled for Friday, November 8th 2019). But, if last year can be of any indication (having opened a week early and extending the ski season not once, but twice!) those anxious to start their Breckenridge Ski Season this year should stay tuned!
Note : Loveland Ski Area, which is also a perennial contender to be the first to open, has not announced when it will begin operations for the season.
Want 20% Off Your Early Ski Stay? Sign Up Below to Receive a Discount Code for all stays November 7 through December 18, 2019 (must book by November 1).
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