Colorado — In a recreation of that Office meme, Keystone ended its showdown with Arapahoe Basin to be the first to open in North America for the 2025-26 season (yes, I am aware of Ski Ward). While this is cool, there are various ski resorts right behind them.
Cold snowmaking temperatures and snow last night are helping expedite openings. So who will achieve the bronze prize? Here’s a look at the contenders.
Loveland: Located just down the road from A-Basin and Keystone is Loveland, which has been the first to open in the past. After a warm stretch, Loveland restarted its snow guns this week. Loveland opened in the past few years on November 9th and 10th.
Loveland has noted in the past that it takes two weeks of consistent snowmaking to open, so we’ll see if that means an opening this week is possible.
Winter Park: Winter Park has been able to open in late October and early November over the past few years. This is thanks to a two-year, $37 million snowmaking enhancement project, which has increased the system’s efficiency.
It’s unclear yet when they’ll open, but it appears to be imminent.
Copper Mountain: If we’re going off technicalities, Copper will likely be the third to open thanks to its training for the US Ski Team. However, the public opening isn’t until November 7th.
Breckenridge: Breckenridge has an opening day in mind, and it’s not too far away. Breckenridge plans to open on November 7th.
Other Soonish Openings: Mid-November will see some other openings soon, such as Eldora and Vail on November 14th.
Based on these recent investments and prior early openings, I’m predicting Winter Park will be the next to open. Regardless of who opens next, one thing is certain: ski season has arrived in Colorado.
Image/Video Credits: Loveland Ski Area, NBC Universal/Peacock, Winter Park Resort/@jillybirdadventures, Copper Mountain Resort, Breckenridge Resort, Eldora Mountain Resort
