Arapahoe Basin officials said Wednesday what thousands of skiers and boarders have been waiting to hear all summer: Game on.
The ski area will open Friday for the 2016-17 season, the resort announced Wednesday morning.
The resort, , will run its Black Mountain Express lift from the base starting at 9 a.m. and just the intermediate High Noon run will be open. No beginner runs will open Friday. are $76 for the early season (until Dec. 16).
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Sierra Castillo dressed in a costume as she lined up for the first run of the year at Arapahoe Basin Ski area in Colorado on October 13, 2013.
Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post
Fall skiing means some bare spots seen from the outdoor deck of the base lodge. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area opens its 2014-15 season by operating one run-the intermediate High Noon trail- on Friday, Oct. 17, 2014.
Mahala Gaylord, The Denver Post
Friends, Mickey Reams, in the Mickey Mouse costume, Jimmy Dirkes, center, and Jeffrey Hanson walk through the parking lot at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on the first day of skiing and snowboarding of the year, October 17, 2012.
Mahala Gaylord, The Denver Post
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area opens for it's first day of skiing and snowboarding of the year on October 17, 2012.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
A lift operator on the Lenawee Mountain lift slows down a chair for awaiting snowboarders at the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area May 20, 2015. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Skiers make their way up the mountain moments after Loveland Ski Area opened during the earliest opening day in 40 years for Loveland Ski Area. Officials open for skiing Wednesday beating their long time rival Arapahoe Basin.
Mahala Gaylord, The Denver Post
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area opens for it's first day of skiing and snowboarding of the year on Oct. 17, 2012.
Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post
A skier makes his way down the one open run, High Noon. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area opens its 2014-15 season by operating one run-the intermediate High Noon trail- on Friday, Oct. 17, 2014.
Denver Post file
Reed Silberman of Boulder, sports a bunny suit while skiing down the High Noon run on the first day of the ski season at Arapahoe Basin on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007.
Denver Post file
Roy Leckonby, 30, of Boulder sports a pumpkin costume while waiting "the longest hour of my life" to ride the Exhibition chair lift at Arapahoe Basin ski area on Loveland Pass on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007.
Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post
Dressed in a warm, brightly-colored gorilla suit, mom Kendal Vaille, chats with daughter Lexi, 11, both from Dillon, as they wait in the chairlift line on Oct. 17, 2014.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Jason Hildreth, of Beaver Creek, eat a doughnut at he wait in line for the earliest opening day in 40 years at Loveland Ski Area.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Skiers and snowboarders hike their way up and over a hill to get some fresh snow in the Montezuma Bowl area at the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area May 20, 2015.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Drew Disalbo from Edwards Colorado skis near the top of the Lenawee Mountain Lift at the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area May 20, 2015.
Denver Post file photo
Alden Wade, 5, played hooky from kindergarten with his dad, Jon, who drove them over to A-Basin from Steamboat Springs to start a father-son tradition, Mr. Wade said. The first day of skiing was a double header Wednesday morning as Arapahoe Basin (pictured) and Loveland Ski Area both opened the ski season on the same day, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008.
Denver Post file photo
Gregg Trunberger , 36, left of Westminster, and Charlie Wesley, 29, of Denver carry their skis in a dry parking lot to wait in line to ride the Exhibition chair lift at Arapahoe Basin ski area on Loveland pass on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
A skier makes his way down mid-mountain at the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on May 20, 2015.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Snowboarder Nate Dogggg, in red jacket, left, and his friends celebrate being the first ones on the lifts as Arapahoe Basin Ski area opens its lifts for the first time on Oct. 13, 2013.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Santiago Luque, of Breckenridge, tackles the rails at the terrain park at Arapahoe Basin Ski area in Colorado on Oct. 13, 2013.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Skiers and snowboarders tackle the rails at the terrain park at Arapahoe Basin Ski area in Colorado on on Oct. 13, 2013.
Mahala Gaylord, The Denver Post
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area opens for its first day of skiing and snowboarding of the year on Oct. 17, 2012.
Mahala Gaylord, The Denver Post
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area opens for its first day of skiing and snowboarding for the season on Oct. 17, 2012.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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Sierra Castillo dressed in a costume as she lined up for the first run of the year at Arapahoe Basin Ski area in Colorado on October 13, 2013.
Arapahoe Basin, which sits at 10,780 feet, has been making snow since Oct. 3 and hopes to open more terrain off the Black Mountain lift.
“We’ll take it day-to-day, but it could be a little while before we open a few more runs,” A-Basin communications director Leigh Hierholzer said.
Arapahoe Basin and Loveland ski resort annually compete to be the first to open. Loveland officials have not announced an opening date but hope to be close behind.
Come Skiing Friday
— Arapahoe Basin (@Arapahoe_Basin)
“We will not open this weekend, but we will keep making snow and expect to be open at some point next week,” Loveland marketing director John Sellers said Wednesday morning.
