pic is from this morning

Well for the first time that I can recall, A-Basin will not open in October. Sometime this weekend -probably.

Keystone is selling November 4 lift tickets, so It expects to be open on that date.

Meanwhile Wolf Creek decided not only to open, but to open for 7-day operations on Oct. 22.  Was a bit rough for a few days between snowstorms, but they got 9 inches more snow the last couple days.  Mid-mountain depth up to 19 inches as of Oct. 31.

I've skied Wolf Creek during early season when it was 100% open with about 25 inches mid-mountain.  Had a very good time.  The more mellow gladed areas could be navigated if you knew where to go.  Headed back to Wolf Creek in December to ski with friends for the fourth year in a row.  Expect the mountain to be 100% by Dec. 11 again.

rbrtlav wrote:

 

Keystone usually opens with only the upper mountain and Montezuma lift. It looks like they are making snow all the way down to the base now though, I’m thinking they might try and be open to the base by the end of the weekend.

I'd be surprised if Keystone is open top to bottom this  weekend. It never has done so in the past. Lack of natural snow and having to cover 2100 feet of vert with man made snow in 4-5 days makes that pretty iffy. It'll do what it has in the past - upload and download via the gondola with Montezuma providing 1600 feet of vert.

The question is will Keystone turn on the lights allowing it to open before the Basin and thus claim to be the first to open in Summit County.

bob wrote:

rbrtlav wrote:

Keystone usually opens with only the upper mountain and Montezuma lift. It looks like they are making snow all the way down to the base now though, I’m thinking they might try and be open to the base by the end of the weekend.

I'd be surprised if Keystone is open top to bottom this  weekend. It never has done so in the past. Lack of natural snow and having to cover 2100 feet of vert with man made snow in 4-5 days makes that pretty iffy. It'll do what it has in the past - upload and download via the gondola with Montezuma providing 1600 feet of vert.

The question is will Keystone turn on the lights allowing it to open before the Basin and thus claim to be the first to open in Summit County.

 Based on what I've seen about Keystone snowmaking improvements, given the recent cold temps there should be plenty of Schoolmarm open this weekend.

snowbrains.com - October 21, 2024

ABasin and Keystone details from a Colorado source.  The subtitle was "Keystone announced opening within minutes of The Basin's announcement."

Arapahoe Basin and Keystone announce opening date for winter 2024-25