Submitted by Colorado Ski Country
Crested Butte. Photo by Chris Segal. All photos courtesy of Colorado Ski Country USA.
Recent weather changes have put in motion one of Colorado’s long-standing traditions: The competition to become the first ski resort to open in the state. Loveland and Arapahoe Basin kick off yet another ski season by competing for Opening Day bragging rights, and each are currently working diligently to become the nation’s first resort to open for the 2010-11 ski season.
This friendly rivalry between the two resorts has quite a history. Loveland won the race for seven consecutive seasons, from 1999 to 2005. Arapahoe Basin mounted a successful challenge to take the title in 2006 and 2007, before both resorts tied in 2008. Loveland regained the title last year, for the 2009-10 season. Once open, both resorts plan to stay open for the entire 2010-11 season. Colorado has one of the longest ski seasons with resorts that typically open early in the fall and stay open until late spring.
Loveland. Photo by Dustin Schaefer.
Resorts around Colorado continue to monitor weather patterns, as conditions turn seasonal. This week’s forecast predicts temperatures lower than in recent weeks at mountain resorts, including some days and nights predicted to drop below freezing with snow showers.
To date, Loveland, Arapahoe Basin and Copper Mountain Resort have all been making heavy use of their snowmaking equipment, adding voluminous amounts of man-made snow to the natural snowfalls that have been taking place. Other resorts are preparing for snow making as conditions permit. Because of Colorado’s high elevation and dry air, resorts enjoy early frosts and conditions ripe for snowmaking.
———————————-
Colorado Ski Country USA is the not-for-profit trade association representing Colorado’s 22 ski & snowboard resorts. CSCUSA is the global voice of the Colorado ski industry. The Association’s primary functions are concentrated in marketing, public policy and public relations. Information about CSCUSA and its members can be found at www.ColoradoSki.com on Twitter @ColoradoSkiUSA and on Facebook at ColoradoSkiCountryUSA.
