As temperatures start to decline Colorado mountain resorts are getting ready for snowmaking in the next few weeks.
Just because we are still seeing temps in the 90s in Denver doesn’t mean the people of Colorado aren’t thinking about ski season. While some of us are still soaking up the sun in summer shorts, the ski resorts of Colorado are getting ready for opening day, in part by getting ready for snowmaking. Snowmaking, the process that artificial snow is produced, is done by forcing water and pressurized air through a snow cannon. It's a common practice among ski resorts in the state.
Several of the higher elevation ski resorts in Colorado have been hinting at the start of snowmaking on social media, which you can see below. Ski resorts across the state will be getting ready to start snowmaking over the next few weeks in anticipation of setting the earliest opening day that conditions will allow for.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is hoping to open in mid-October—the earliest opening day they have ever had is October 9. They plan to start snowmaking in the next few weeks and have the snow cannons set up already and shared that the snowmaking reservoir is full and ready to go.
Loveland Ski Area will begin snowmaking on September 29 and plans to open in mid-October, as usual. They are known in the state as having one of the best early-season snows in Colorado and are hoping for an early opening season this year as well. They cover almost 250 acres of ski area every year and hope to be done very early in December.
Keystone Resort is ready to go as well, with new snow cannons that have weather stations on them set to turn on whenever optimal snowmaking conditions are met. They are hoping the investment in new equipment will mean an earlier opening day this year.
Wolf Creek Ski Area has been working all summer with renovations to facilities and has been working to bring the D. Boyce Poma lift back into service. They had the earliest opening in the state last year on October 13 and will likely want to get an early start this year as well.
Vail Mountain has been working on snowmaking for a few weeks now and has done a lot of work this summer to enhance the snowmaking capabilities and conditions on the upper mountain. They hope to open by mid-November at the latest.
Across the state, snow-covered peaks will beckon folks of all ages to the mountains, with dreams of powdery fun and snow-covered mountain landscapes. The ski season will be upon us before we know it, and it looks like the professional snowmakers have it under control.
What is your favorite place to ski in Colorado? Give us the scoop in the comments.
