Loveland Basin won the battle of the basins on opposing sides of Loveland Pass when officials announced Tuesday it would open for skiing todayits earliest opening in 40 years.
Less than an hour later, the folks at Arapahoe Basin congratulated their rival on the other side of the pass and said their area would open Friday — the earliest opening in the area’s 64-year history.
Loveland becomes the first ski area in North America to commence operations, at 9 a.m. today with $44 lift tickets. Trail crews have been making snow since Sept. 21.
“We took advantage of the cold temperatures and got an early start making snow this year,” said Eric Johnstone, snowmaking and trail maintenance manager. “Now we can move some equipment to other trails and try to open more terrain as quickly as possible.”
Loveland will open Chair 1 with 1,000 vertical feet and one mile of terrain on Catwalk, Mambo and Home run.
A-Basin’s Exhibition chairlift will open at 9 a.m. Friday with skiing on the intermediate High Noon run and six features in the High Divide Terrain Park. There will be no beginner skiing.
John Meyer, The Denver Post/File photo
