Hampton Terrell wears squares of duct tape on his cheeks, given out while in line, while waiting for the Black Mountain Express lift to open during opening day at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Snowboarders Nate Dogggg, Tom “Trailer Tom” Miller, Chad Otterstrom and Anthony “Ant” Uganda catch the first chair on Black Mountain Express Lift during opening day at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. Nate Dogggg has been the first in line for 30 years. Hundreds of skiers, snowboarders and other snow aficionados turned out for Arapahoe Basin’s opening day. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Mason Davis and Zac Baker, right, cheer as they wait in line for the Black Mountain Express lift to open on the first day of the ski season at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. Opening day marked the 76th anniversary of the ski area. The mountain had been working for weeks readying the slopes by making snow to be able to open so soon into the season (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
A skier dressed in a raccoon suit waves as they board the Black Mountain Express Lift on the first day of the ski season Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Skiers and snowboards ride the Black Mountain Express Lift on the first day of the ski season Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. First lift was at 8:30 a.m where hundreds lined up to take part in the opening day events. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Skier Darren Droge wears a monster costume as he makes his way down High Noon run on the first day of the ski season at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. Temperatures were in the upper 20s and lower 30s and snow fell through out the day exciting skiers, snowboarders and others who came to take part in the first Colorado ski area to open for the winter 2022-23 season (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
A snowboarder catches some air on a jump on High Noon Run on the first day of the ski season Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Skiers and snowboarders make their way down High Noon run on the first day of the ski season at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. The resort began making snow on October 9, but had to pause due to warm temperatures. Last year the resort opened on October 17th. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Snowboarder Andres Hayden laughs after taking a spill on High Noon Run during opening day at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. Hundreds of skiers, snowboarders and other snow aficionados turned out for Arapahoe Basin’s opening day (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Hundreds of skiers and snowboarders line up on opening day at Arapahoe Basin, Oct. 23, 2022. (Helen H. Richardson/Denver Post file)
Skiers and snowboarders make their way down High Noon run on the first day of the ski season at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
A skier catches some air on a jump on High Noon Run on opening day and the first day of the ski season Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
From left to right Leslie Resnick, Darren Droge and a man who goes by the name SkiFunk wait in line for the Black Mountain Express lift to open on the first day of the ski season at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
A skier makes his way down High Noon Run on opening day and the first day of the ski season Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Skier Andrew Hoff catches some air off a jump on High Noon Run on the first day of the ski season Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on October 23, 2022. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
A snowboarder heads in after making some runs during opening day at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
From left to right: Joey Tosello, Cassidy Walsh, Eric Lopez and Oscar Garcia stay warm by their propane fire in the parking lot during opening day at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. Many skiers and snowboarders spent the night in the parking lot to be able to get to the mountain on time. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Only one run, High Noon Run, was open for opening day at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
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Hampton Terrell wears squares of duct tape on his cheeks, given out while in line, while waiting for the Black Mountain Express lift to open during opening day at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
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By Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
Arapahoe Basin opened the Front Range ski season for the 10th time in 12 years on Sunday.
A-Basin opened the Black Mountain Express lift, from the base to mid-mountain, at 8:30 a.m.
Click here for a list of Colorado ski area open dates for the upcoming season.
