Colorado Ski Resorts Begin Winter 2025/26 Snowmaking Operations

Featured Image: Lucas Herbert, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

While most of us are just settling into fall weather, the highest peaks of Colorado are already acclimating to winter, and that means it's time for snowmaking at Arapahoe Basin and Loveland Ski Area. The two resorts, which are often the first to open in North America, both fired up their snow guns within the last 24 hours.

Loveland turned on snowmaking operations in the early hours of October 13, just after midnight. This puts the resort ahead of schedule compared to last season, where snowmaking did not begin until October 18. Loveland was able to open on November 9, 2024, and plans to get the ski season started even earlier this year if conditions allow.

To keep people informed, the ski area has set up a web page where skiers can check on snowmaking updates and find a projected 2025 opening day when the time comes.

Snow guns roaring at near Chet's Dream Chairlift

Photo: Courtesy of Loveland Ski Area

Just 15 minutes away on the other side of the Continental Divide, Arapahoe Basin turned on its snow guns a few hours earlier. The Mountain Ops team reportedly started the process around 8:30 PM on Sunday, October 12, and was able to keep snowmaking going through 8:30 AM this morning, October 13.

Arapahoe Basin's famous early-season white ribbon extends from the mid-mountain Black Mountain Lodge area down to the base, following the Ramrod and High-Noon runs.

"Our snowmaking team has been out all night, monitoring conditions and jumping on the opportune weather windows, and will continue to work hard to help us be among the first to open in the country," said A-Basin Communications Manager Shayana Silverman. "They're really an amazing team, don't forget to thank a snowmaker when you see one on the hill this season."

Arapahoe Basin's front side is looking better every day

Photo: Lucas Herbert, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

Down Loveland Pass from A-Basin, Keystone Resort was also able to get its snow guns fired up in the wee hours of the night. Though Keystone has a base elevation of just over 9,100 feet, about 1,000 feet lower than Loveland and Arapahoe Basin, the resort is usually not far behind its higher competitors when it comes to opening for the season.

Snowmaking is a tricky craft, and ideal conditions are required for effective results. Start too early and you'll waste water. Start too late and you miss out on building a precious base.

Mountain ops will be hard at work in the coming weeks, preparing for opening day

Photo: Courtesy of Keystone Resort

"Prime snow-making conditions begin at 26 degrees wet bulb temperature, but the best conditions range anywhere from 10 to 17 degrees wet bulb," Silverman continued. "Wet bulb temperature takes humidity into account along with ambient temperature (regular Fahrenheit/Celsius). We're looking for cold, dry air to get a lower wet bulb temperature and produce better quality flakes — which were exactly the conditions we saw last night and through the morning."

It's always a friendly competition to see if Loveland or A-Basin can open first. Bragging rights aside, we'll just be happy to be back on skis in no time!