With significant snow predicted for most Colorado ski resorts early next week, five more resorts are opening this weekend, bringing the number of Colorado resorts in operation to 15.
Monarch and Powderhorn opened on Friday. Aspen, Snowmass and Steamboat will open on Saturday.
The Aspen and Snowmass debuts will be five days ahead of when they were originally slated to open. Friday marks the earliest opening in Powderhorn’s history. It was previously scheduled to open Nov. 29.
Most Colorado resorts are reporting above normal base depths for this date, and a lot more is coming. The OpenSnow forecasting and reporting service is predicting 1-2 feet of snow from Sunday through Thursday for most mountains.
The first wave, Sunday and Monday, is expected to bring 3-8 inches with the highest totals in the Aspen-Crested Butte area. The second wave, Tuesday and Wednesday, is expected to be generous for all resorts, just in time for Thanksgiving..
From the second wave, Gratz is predicting 8-16 inches for Copper Mountain and Vail, 6-12 for Winter Park and Steamboat, 6-10 for Breckenridge.
“The upcoming storm cycle will bring significant snow accumulation to most mountains in Colorado,” . “With a lot of moisture in the air, the snow will be thick and dense, which is a pretty good thing as it is early season, and this will help to build our base.”
After an inspection visit, the International Ski Federation confirmed on Friday that the Birds of Prey downhill course at Beaver Creek is prepared and ready to host men’s World Cup racing Dec. 6-8. Women’s races will be held there the following weekend.
Resorts scheduled to open next week include Beaver Creek, Crested Butte, Telluride, Granby and Howelsen Hill.
