Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, and Copper Mountain Ski Area have kicked off the 2015-2016 ski season in Summit County. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, more affectionately known as A-Basin, has now been open for about 2 weeks. Keystone followed closely behind A-Basin, opening just over a week later. Copper Mountain welcomed skiiers and riders for the first time yesterday with 7 inches of fresh snow! With an influx of storms in the area dropping layers upon layers of fresh powder, the first 2 weeks of Colorado’s ski season have offered some great early season turns.
Arapahoe Basin officially opened on October 29th, joining Loveland Ski Area as the first mountains open in the state of Colorado for the 2015-2016 season. On Halloween A-Basin had live music from The Goonies at the base area in the afternoon, with a costume contest bringing out some fantastic outfits gliding down the mountain. Prizes included a Beach Spot and A-Basin Gift Cards. What better way to kick off ski season?? Over the past 3 days, A-Basin has recorded 14 inches of new snow, with a base of 23 inches and 4 inches in the past 24 hours. Looks like it’s time to boot up and get on the lifts!
Keystone Mountain has been open now for just about 1 week. Opening day welcomed a large crowd with snow throughout the day, doughnuts, and lots of giveaways. Since opening day, Keystone has expanded their open terrain to include River Run top to bottom, a total of 4 lifts servicing 4 trails on 58 Acres, and A51 Terrain Park’s early season park is open! If that (somehow) isn’t enough to make you want to get out on the mountain, be sure to check out the video from opening day and weekend. It will give you chills, and not because of the cold weather!
Rounding out the early season skiing, Copper Mountain opened its lifts yesterday, welcoming skiers and riders with 7 inches of snow and it kept coming all day long! On its second day, which just happens to be today, Copper has 1 lift and 2 trails open, coming to a total of 40.6 acres of groomed, packed powder perfect for those early season turns. The past 24 hours have brought 3 inches of new snow, adding to the 19 inches from the last week and bringing the season total to 39 inches.
The 2015-2016 ski season is off to a great start. The opening days and subsequent days at Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Copper Mountain have seen some great days of powder thanks to these early season storms we have seen in the highcountry. This Friday, Breckenridge Resort will join in on the fun and kick off their season with free cinnamon buns, free SoBe drink samples, giveaways and a DJ spinning throughout the day. Vail will open the following Friday with breakfast burritos, music and giveaways. Summit County will complete its ski season openings with Beaver Creek on the 25th. It’s time to dust off those boots, wax your skis and boards and hit the lifts!
