Winter Is Almost Here At These 3 American Ski Resorts

As summer ends and cooler temperatures signal the start of fall, several ski resorts across the United States can pull off the seemingly impossible by opening their slopes to skiers and snowboarders as early as Mid-October.

While some folks are still enjoying the dog days of summer, we know the real ski bums are longing for the return of snowy weather. New snowmaking and a competitive industry have helped to push ski resorts to open earlier than ever. So it is never truly too early to begin waxing your board(s).

So with less than 60 days till the start of ski season here are our picks for where to head to get your early season turns this year.

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, NV

Last Years Opening Date: October 20, 2018

While the early season offerings might not equal the joy of ripping advanced terrain like The Chutes at Mt. Rose, the high elevation resort is one of the first to open each winter in the Tahoe area. For those anxious to begin the ski season, Mt. Rose typically has at least one lift turning and even a couple of terrain park features before the end of October. Pending a high probability El Nino cycle this winter, hopefully, an early season in Tahoe will be one to remember.

Arapahoe Basin, CO

Last Years Opening Date: October 20, 2018

Perched high atop Loveland Pass in Colorado’s Summit County, Arapahoe Basin often is the first ski resort in the United States to open. Cold temperatures and early-season storms help A-Basin achieve solid openings in October.

Looking forward to this winter, passionate skiers and snowboarders should be excited to hit the High Noon run not long after October begins. Although lift lines can be busy at the start of the season, nothing really beats the excitement of getting back on snow for the first time in months.

Sunday River, ME

Last Years Opening Date: October 19, 2018

Last year, Sunday River was one of the first ski resorts to open in the United States. An efficient snowmaking program couple with East Coast cold spells has helped skiing and snowboarding in Maine to start weeks before others even dream of sliding snow. Optimistically we are expecting Locke Mountain to begin spinning chairlifts before November this season.