The first ski opening of the season bears the same feeling you get at a preseason game. The sights are the same and everyone’s dressed for showtime, but at the end of the day, the score doesn’t count and satisfaction is put on hold.
When Loveland kicked off the snow season Wednesday at 9 a.m., opening one lift to skiers and boarders for a $44 lift ticket, it became the first ski area in North America to open for runs. Loveland opened 163 days after it closed last season. But they had been making snow there at since Sept. 21.
And, like a Larry Bird-Magic Johnson rivalry, Arapahoe Basin followed right behind. A-Basin opened today with one run.
Loveland and A-Basin each have an 18-inch base of less-than-ideal snow. And Loveland is pushing just more than one mile of terrain. But it’s not the snow that matters. It’s the idea.
For powderheads and snow junkies, opening day is a banner event, like the start of baseball’s spring training, filled with the promise of runs to come.
Last year, the two mountains didn’t start making snow until the fourth week of September. And temperatures in Denver were as high as 73 degrees through Nov. 2.
So the early opening this season could be an omen for snowy days to come.
In 2007, A-Basin earned the “first mountain” honor with the earliest opening in its 63-year history on Oct. 10. Loveland, of course, was next. And the Colorado snow season then unfolded in memorably fun fashion.
“We took advantage of the cold temperatures and got an early start making snow this year,” Eric Johnstone, Loveland’s snowmaking and trail maintenance manager, told The Denver Post this week.
“Now we can move some equipment to other trails and try to open more terrain as quickly as possible.”
It can’t come soon enough.
Colorado ski area opening days
Some notable dates for the start of skiing and snowboarding across the state. Other opening days are to be announced.
Loveland: Open
Arapahoe Basin: Open
Keystone: Nov. 6
Copper Mountain: Nov. 6
Breckenridge: Nov. 12
Vail: Nov. 20
Steamboat: Nov. 25
Winter Park: Nov. 18
AROUND TOWN
Top ruggers in town.
When USA Rugby brings its Select XV team to Infinity Park in Glendale on Saturday to take on the Argentina Jaguars for a semifinal game in the Americas Rugby Championship, there will be a lot on the line.
The tournament, formerly the IRB North America 4, pits six teams against one another, including four from Canada, the U.S. and Argentina.
If Eddie O’Sullivan’s Eagles can get past Argentina, they would face either the Ontario Blues or the BC Bears in the championship game Oct. 17 in Toronto.
Saturday’s semifinal in Glendale could propel the U.S. toward a significant opportunity.
Check for information.
STAY ON THE COUCH
Tune in, tune out the rest.
The television cards fell in place for lucky Denver fans this weekend. But the schedule nearly spelled trouble.
On what has become a busy Sunday, the Broncos will start a marathon TV run at 2:15 p.m. when they host Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
The game, with all the built-in drama of undefeated Josh McDaniels facing his former team, is also one of the NFL’s throwback games in celebration of the old AFL. The Broncos will be wearing their early 1960s’ brown-and-yellow uniforms.
CBS’ “A” team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will handle broadcasting duties on KCNC-4.
Then, shortly after, the Rockies’ will continue their NL division series against the Phillies at Coors Field for an 8 p.m. game on TBS.
Late for a Sunday, sure, but perfect for this Sunday.
It all worked out. Denver fans will be able to watch the Broncos in the afternoon, Rockies in the evening, then cap the night with the Nuggets’ preseason game against the Pacers in Beijing, airing on Altitude at 10 p.m.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Music to runners’ ears.
There are plenty of inviting and fun details for Sunday’s Run the Rocks 5K at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison. Racers get to enjoy the grand surroundings at picturesque Red Rocks and, appropriately, bands will be playing music along the route.
But there’s one big un-fun detail. The 3.1-mile course, which goes through the park trails, ends with a run up the amphitheater’s stairs, with the finish line at top. Ouch.
It all goes to help the American Lung Association. Check for information.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Stampede to fill out D-League team.
The Colorado 14ers, winners of the NBA Development League championship last season, were bought and moved to Dallas to be the Mavericks’ D-League affiliate in 2010.
That left the Nuggets needing a new partner. They found one in the Idaho Stampede.
In turn, coach Bob MacKinnon’s Stampede crew will be in Denver on Sunday for an open tryout.
MacKinnon, the 14ers coach last season who was hired by the Stampede, is looking for serious basketball players to fill two training camp roster spots for the upcoming season.
The D-League, as many players have proved, is one small step from the NBA.
Check for information.
