Update 2.0: Arapahoe Basin refused to give up their crown as first-to-open. They will open Friday October 11 from 3:30 to 5:30 and then run lifts Saturday.\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\nSkiers, start your engines. Opening Day is here.<\/b><\/h2>\nGear up for opening day with our First Tracks Sale<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Webp.net-resizeimage-15.jpg\")
Loveland Ski Area’s mascot, Parker, is ready for ski season. | PHOTO: Dustin Schaefer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWaking up to several inches of snow on my deck wasn\u2019t too surprising\u2014after all, the forecasts were calling for overnight snow and a drastic temperature dip. However, it\u2019s one thing to expect the white stuff and another thing to tromp through it to your car (is it always this cold?<\/em>). But for Colorado\u2019s ski resorts, this early-season snow is just the icing on the snowmaking cake. The race is on to see who opens first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe Science<\/h3>\n
While the recent snowfall is effective for sending skiers and snowboarders into a frenzy for opening day, it doesn\u2019t actually make much impact on how soon the resorts will open.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cWe love the natural fresh snow because it gets everyone excited, but what we’re really looking for this time of year is those cold sustained temperatures,\u201d said Loryn Roberson, communications manager at Keystone Resort. \u201cSo from this storm, the real star of the show for us is those cold temperatures that we’re seeing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nTo utilize the snow guns, snowmakers rely on something called \u201cwet bulb temperature,\u201d which takes into consideration now only how cold it is, but also the humidity in the air. When the wet bulb temps are in the desired zone, snowmaking can take place consistently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe snow is great,\u201d said John Sellers, marketing & communications director at Loveland Ski Resort. \u201cIt certainly helps, but the biggest thing for us in terms of productivity is having the cold temperatures that the storm brought with it. If we’re able to make snow not just at night but around the clock, that really sort of jumpstarts everything and allows us to make progress obviously a lot more quickly than we normally would.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Webp.net-resizeimage-17.jpg\")
Keystone is officially in on the race to open first. | PHOTO: Courtesy of Keystone Resort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKeystone’s Earliest Opening in Decades<\/h3>\n
Arapahoe Basin and Loveland always duke it out this time of year. But new to this year\u2019s opening race is Keystone Resort. With a new, state of the art, automated, energy-efficient system, snowmakers have been able to utilize smaller windows of low temperatures more efficiently, Roberson explained. The guns now kick on automatically as soon as the wet bulb temperature reaches the sweet spot for snowmaking and shuts off when it gets too warm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIt (the new system) is positioning us to be one of the first resorts to open,\u201d Roberson said. <\/span>
\n<\/span>\u201cWe’re very excited.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nWith Keystone in the mix, skiers and snowboarders will have three different options for early season tracks. But it\u2019s not just early season that Roberson is considering\u2013it\u2019s the entire season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cReally what it comes down to for us is Keystone is going to have the earliest opening possible and Breck is going to stay open through Memorial Day,\u201d she said. \u201cSo with that, we’re going to be able to offer our Epic Pass holders one of the longest ski seasons in the country. And so really it’s just to provide more value to our guests.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Webp.net-resizeimage-18.jpg\")
Arapahoe Basin typically leads the charge to open first. | PHOTO: Courtesy of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSuper-secret Snowmaking Rituals<\/h3>\n
Everyone knows that though there is nothing that can guarantee snow, there are tricks that can be utilized to help conditions: beseeching the snow gods, donning lucky ski socks and performing snow dances are all recognized tactics. However, these trade secrets are usually kept on the down-low at the resorts.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cSnow dances? No,\u201d Sellars said, a bit unconvincingly. \u201cYou know, I’m not sure what the guys are doing when they’re making snow at night. Maybe they’re dancing. Maybe it helps. I’m not sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nLeigh Hierholzer, marketing and communications director at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, was a little more forthcoming about their rituals.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cYou never know (about snow dances),\u201d she said. \u201cWe’ve been doing this for a long time, so we’ll see. We’re really fortunate to have the snowmaking crew that we have\u2026 and they may create some magic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Webp.net-resizeimage-16.jpg\")
The high country is lookin’ good. | PHOTO: Dustin Schaefer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSo When, Exactly, Will the Resorts Open?<\/h3>\n
\u201cWe’re really excited about opening,\u201d said John Sellers, marketing & communications director at Loveland Ski Resort. \u201cWe’ve been thinking about it since we closed in the spring. You know, every flake that falls and every minute of snowmaking gets us that much closer to opening day, but we’re not quite ready to make an announcement yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
Gear up for opening day with our First Tracks Sale<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\nLoveland Ski Area’s mascot, Parker, is ready for ski season. | PHOTO: Dustin Schaefer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWaking up to several inches of snow on my deck wasn\u2019t too surprising\u2014after all, the forecasts were calling for overnight snow and a drastic temperature dip. However, it\u2019s one thing to expect the white stuff and another thing to tromp through it to your car (is it always this cold?<\/em>). But for Colorado\u2019s ski resorts, this early-season snow is just the icing on the snowmaking cake. The race is on to see who opens first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe Science<\/h3>\n
While the recent snowfall is effective for sending skiers and snowboarders into a frenzy for opening day, it doesn\u2019t actually make much impact on how soon the resorts will open.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cWe love the natural fresh snow because it gets everyone excited, but what we’re really looking for this time of year is those cold sustained temperatures,\u201d said Loryn Roberson, communications manager at Keystone Resort. \u201cSo from this storm, the real star of the show for us is those cold temperatures that we’re seeing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nTo utilize the snow guns, snowmakers rely on something called \u201cwet bulb temperature,\u201d which takes into consideration now only how cold it is, but also the humidity in the air. When the wet bulb temps are in the desired zone, snowmaking can take place consistently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe snow is great,\u201d said John Sellers, marketing & communications director at Loveland Ski Resort. \u201cIt certainly helps, but the biggest thing for us in terms of productivity is having the cold temperatures that the storm brought with it. If we’re able to make snow not just at night but around the clock, that really sort of jumpstarts everything and allows us to make progress obviously a lot more quickly than we normally would.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nKeystone is officially in on the race to open first. | PHOTO: Courtesy of Keystone Resort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKeystone’s Earliest Opening in Decades<\/h3>\n
Arapahoe Basin and Loveland always duke it out this time of year. But new to this year\u2019s opening race is Keystone Resort. With a new, state of the art, automated, energy-efficient system, snowmakers have been able to utilize smaller windows of low temperatures more efficiently, Roberson explained. The guns now kick on automatically as soon as the wet bulb temperature reaches the sweet spot for snowmaking and shuts off when it gets too warm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIt (the new system) is positioning us to be one of the first resorts to open,\u201d Roberson said. <\/span>
\n<\/span>\u201cWe’re very excited.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nWith Keystone in the mix, skiers and snowboarders will have three different options for early season tracks. But it\u2019s not just early season that Roberson is considering\u2013it\u2019s the entire season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cReally what it comes down to for us is Keystone is going to have the earliest opening possible and Breck is going to stay open through Memorial Day,\u201d she said. \u201cSo with that, we’re going to be able to offer our Epic Pass holders one of the longest ski seasons in the country. And so really it’s just to provide more value to our guests.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nArapahoe Basin typically leads the charge to open first. | PHOTO: Courtesy of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSuper-secret Snowmaking Rituals<\/h3>\n
Everyone knows that though there is nothing that can guarantee snow, there are tricks that can be utilized to help conditions: beseeching the snow gods, donning lucky ski socks and performing snow dances are all recognized tactics. However, these trade secrets are usually kept on the down-low at the resorts.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cSnow dances? No,\u201d Sellars said, a bit unconvincingly. \u201cYou know, I’m not sure what the guys are doing when they’re making snow at night. Maybe they’re dancing. Maybe it helps. I’m not sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nLeigh Hierholzer, marketing and communications director at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, was a little more forthcoming about their rituals.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cYou never know (about snow dances),\u201d she said. \u201cWe’ve been doing this for a long time, so we’ll see. We’re really fortunate to have the snowmaking crew that we have\u2026 and they may create some magic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nThe high country is lookin’ good. | PHOTO: Dustin Schaefer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSo When, Exactly, Will the Resorts Open?<\/h3>\n
\u201cWe’re really excited about opening,\u201d said John Sellers, marketing & communications director at Loveland Ski Resort. \u201cWe’ve been thinking about it since we closed in the spring. You know, every flake that falls and every minute of snowmaking gets us that much closer to opening day, but we’re not quite ready to make an announcement yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
Waking up to several inches of snow on my deck wasn\u2019t too surprising\u2014after all, the forecasts were calling for overnight snow and a drastic temperature dip. However, it\u2019s one thing to expect the white stuff and another thing to tromp through it to your car (is it always this cold?<\/em>). But for Colorado\u2019s ski resorts, this early-season snow is just the icing on the snowmaking cake. The race is on to see who opens first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the recent snowfall is effective for sending skiers and snowboarders into a frenzy for opening day, it doesn\u2019t actually make much impact on how soon the resorts will open.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe love the natural fresh snow because it gets everyone excited, but what we’re really looking for this time of year is those cold sustained temperatures,\u201d said Loryn Roberson, communications manager at Keystone Resort. \u201cSo from this storm, the real star of the show for us is those cold temperatures that we’re seeing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n To utilize the snow guns, snowmakers rely on something called \u201cwet bulb temperature,\u201d which takes into consideration now only how cold it is, but also the humidity in the air. When the wet bulb temps are in the desired zone, snowmaking can take place consistently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe snow is great,\u201d said John Sellers, marketing & communications director at Loveland Ski Resort. \u201cIt certainly helps, but the biggest thing for us in terms of productivity is having the cold temperatures that the storm brought with it. If we’re able to make snow not just at night but around the clock, that really sort of jumpstarts everything and allows us to make progress obviously a lot more quickly than we normally would.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Arapahoe Basin and Loveland always duke it out this time of year. But new to this year\u2019s opening race is Keystone Resort. With a new, state of the art, automated, energy-efficient system, snowmakers have been able to utilize smaller windows of low temperatures more efficiently, Roberson explained. The guns now kick on automatically as soon as the wet bulb temperature reaches the sweet spot for snowmaking and shuts off when it gets too warm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt (the new system) is positioning us to be one of the first resorts to open,\u201d Roberson said. <\/span> With Keystone in the mix, skiers and snowboarders will have three different options for early season tracks. But it\u2019s not just early season that Roberson is considering\u2013it\u2019s the entire season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cReally what it comes down to for us is Keystone is going to have the earliest opening possible and Breck is going to stay open through Memorial Day,\u201d she said. \u201cSo with that, we’re going to be able to offer our Epic Pass holders one of the longest ski seasons in the country. And so really it’s just to provide more value to our guests.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Everyone knows that though there is nothing that can guarantee snow, there are tricks that can be utilized to help conditions: beseeching the snow gods, donning lucky ski socks and performing snow dances are all recognized tactics. However, these trade secrets are usually kept on the down-low at the resorts.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSnow dances? No,\u201d Sellars said, a bit unconvincingly. \u201cYou know, I’m not sure what the guys are doing when they’re making snow at night. Maybe they’re dancing. Maybe it helps. I’m not sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Leigh Hierholzer, marketing and communications director at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, was a little more forthcoming about their rituals.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou never know (about snow dances),\u201d she said. \u201cWe’ve been doing this for a long time, so we’ll see. We’re really fortunate to have the snowmaking crew that we have\u2026 and they may create some magic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe’re really excited about opening,\u201d said John Sellers, marketing & communications director at Loveland Ski Resort. \u201cWe’ve been thinking about it since we closed in the spring. You know, every flake that falls and every minute of snowmaking gets us that much closer to opening day, but we’re not quite ready to make an announcement yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nThe Science<\/h3>\n
Keystone’s Earliest Opening in Decades<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>\u201cWe’re very excited.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nSuper-secret Snowmaking Rituals<\/h3>\n
So When, Exactly, Will the Resorts Open?<\/h3>\n