Ski and snowboard season is officially here, like it or not. The past several weeks have seen a few resorts opening their lifts, though few are yet to actually kick off their season. Sunday River in Maine did a single day of riding on Thursday to celebrate Halloween but their official season start is yet to be announced. Meanwhile Ski Ward has done a few days of on-snow riding here and there, but has delayed their official season kick off rail jam until the weekend of November 9. But there are still several skiing opportunities available in the United States this weekend.
Wolf Creek Ski Area, Colorado
Wolf Creek Ski Area kicked off their ski season back on Tuesday, October 22, becoming the first area to properly start the season in North America. Nearly 25% of the mountain is currently accessible through the Bonanza, Treasure, and Nova Lifts. Operations currently run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the Magic Carpet is open for the Wolf Pup & Wolf Rider Programs. Lift tickets are available here.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Colorado
Arapahoe Basin just announced on Thursday that this Saturday, November 22, would be the official start to their ski season. Skiing and snowboarding will be available on High Noon accessed via the Black Mountain Express for the first several days of the season, beginning at 8:30 A.M. and run until 4:00 P.M.. Lift tickets can be purchased here.
Keystone Resort, Colorado
Shortly after Arapahoe Basin announced their opening day, Keystone Resort swung in to match their energy. Lifts will start spinning at Keystone at 9a.m. on Saturday, November 22 to start the winter season for Epic Pass mountains. The Montezuma Chair will run from 9am–4pm, providing access to Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon trails for over 2 miles of skiing and riding. Downloading on the River Run Gondola will be required to end the day. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Lee Canyon Ski Area, Nevada
Las Vegas’s Lee Canyon Ski Area is set to open this Saturday as well, marking the first Nevada resort to do so. Their opening will also mark the first time the ski season and mountain bike season have overlapped on the mountain. The Rabbit Peak will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing access to beginner terrain. The resort will then operate on a Friday-Sunday schedule until more of the mountain is opened and the weather is colder. Lift tickets can be bought on the Lee Canyon website.
Big Snow American Dream, New Jersey
Big Snow American Dream is a bit of a cheater answer, but it’s still skiing in the United States. The New Jersey ski area is completely inside, staying open all year no matter the weather. It features a 160-foot vertical drop slope, an intermediate trail, a terrain park, and some moguls. Tickets for the indoor area can be purchased here.