As the ski season approaches, and resorts open their ski lifts, gondolas and trails one by one, avid skiers are wondering about the condition and availability of slopes. In the Colorado Rockies, EPIC PASS holders look forward to ski in Keystone, Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Crested Butte. The burning questions, of course, are: when will they open? How much snow will there be? Which slopes and lifts or gondolas will be open? What can I expect this year, early in the season?
Which resorts are open and when?
Keystone
Keystone, traditionally among the first to open, has welcomed skiers since November 1st. A week after opening, Keystone has opened five trails. Three greens slopes and two blue slopes, all on Dercum Mountain, are open. Endeavor, Schoolmarm and Silverspoon are the green slopes open, and Dercum’s Dash and River Run are open blue runs. These are well groomed and welcoming for beginners and intermediate skiers. Keystone is a good option for early skiing – it tends to have shorter lines, and long groomers.
Breckenridge and Vail
Breckenridge and Vail opened November 10. The availability of slopes of course depends on weather conditions. Snow in early season comes heavily from artificial snowmaking. Vail resorts has invested heavily in the snowmaking expansion on Vail Mountain since 2019. Vail Resorts opened both gondolas – Lionshead and Vail Villages locations. Beginners are best suites for the Lionshead location. Intermediate skiers will find Vail Village Gondola the best access point. Swingville, Upper Ramshorn and Chair 15 are open, with other slopes and areas subject to weather conditions. Breck opened four trails on Peak 8 trails as of November 14. Springmeier and 4 O’Clock are blue runs; whereas Lower 4 O’Clock and Trygve’s are welcoming green slopes.
Beaver Creek and Crested Butte
Last but not least, Beaver Creek and Crested Butte are set to open on November 22nd. They traditionally open later in the season each year.
Where to get updated information?
In order to best track terrain status and availability, it is highly recommended to download the Epic Pass application, which has maps, lift and slope availability, and even wait times for the various lifts and gondolas.
What is realistic to expect?
Weekends and Thanksgiving holiday are expected to be busy; lower crowds are likely during weekday, especially in the afternoons, when the snow will be less crusty and icy as the sun warms up the afternoon slopes.
Whereas the best skiing conditions and slope availability does not traditionally occur until early January, for those wanting to ski early, there are options. However expectations should be realistic, with reliance on slopes powered by snowmaking and conditional on weather conditions. Plus, a trip to the beautiful towns of the Colorado Rockies is so much more than just about skiing. Breckenridge for example is a great historical mining town. Breckenridge has a very lively atmosphere, with plenty of entertainment, activities and restaurants to help make it a memorable vacation.
