The snow has been flying in the high country, with some resorts getting blanketed in deep powder already in October. Wolf Creek got 14 inches this week. Winter Park measured a foot, and Loveland logged 11 inches overnight on Oct. 12. The winter weather has also made for prime snowmaking conditions. All that means the 2021-22 Colorado ski season is here, and Opening Day is this weekend with Wolf Creek and Arapahoe Basin throwing open the lifts.
It’s always a race for bragging rights to be the first to open, and Wolf Creek will claim the title for the second year in a row. The independent resort in Southwestern Colorado was the first to announce it will open on Oct. 16. Arapahoe Basin will follow on Oct. 17. And don’t be surprised if Keystone and Loveland get their lifts up and running any weekend now in October. Wolf Creek will be open only on weekends to begin. A Basin will be open seven days a week. See below for info and links on COVID-19 requirements.
Here’s a list of tentative opening dates for all of Colorado’s ski areas. Keep up those snow dances!
Colorado Ski Resorts Opening Day
Wolf Creek: OPEN, Oct. 16
Arapahoe Basin: OPEN, Oct. 17
Keystone: OPEN, Oct. 22
Loveland Ski Area: OPEN, Oct. 30
Breckenridge: Nov. 12
Vail: Nov. 12
Winter Park: Nov. 17
Eldora: Nov. 19
Purgatory: Nov. 20
Steamboat: Nov. 20
Copper Mountain: Nov. 22
Beaver Creek: Nov. 24
Crested Butte: Nov. 24
Aspen Mountain: Nov. 25
Snowmass: Nov. 25
Telluride Ski Resort: Nov. 25
Echo Mountain: Nov. 26
Powderhorn Mountain Resort: Nov. 26
Monarch Mountain: TBD
Howelsen Hill (Steamboat Springs): Nov. 28
Ski Cooper: Dec. 8
Granby Ranch: Dec. 10
Sunlight Mountain Resort: Dec. 10
Aspen Highlands: Dec. 11
Buttermilk: Dec. 11
Hesperus Ski Area: Dec. 17
Bluebird Backcountry: Dec. 23
Silverton Mountain: Dec. 30
Kendall Mountain: TBA
All dates are subject to change.
COVID Policies at Colorado Ski Resorts 2021-22
At opening, Wolf Creek requires face coverings in all indoor settings (Wolf Creek Covid operating plan here). Arapahoe Basin has no current restrictions (info here). Face coverings will be required indoors at all Vail Resorts, including Crested Butte, Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail and Beaver Creek (Vail information here). Ski areas and Colorado Ski Country will release additional COVID-19 information for the 2021-22 season as appropriate as the season approaches and progresses, but guests are encouraged to Know Before You Go by checking ski area websites and other channels for the most up to date information on what to expect during their visit. Guests may also visit www.coloradoski.com/covid-19 for tips and information from ski areas across the state.
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