by Jessica Hughes
Skiing the fresh powder at Vail Mountain. Photo: Andrew Maguire, Breckenridge Ski Resort
Ski runs at Breckenridge along the Tenmile Mountain Range. Photo: Andrew Maguire, Breckenridge Ski Resort
It’s that time of year again, when fall signals the anticipatory announcements of opening day for Colorado ski resorts and the race to be the first to open begins.
On August 22, 2022, Vail Resorts announced their opening dates of its five Colorado resorts including Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Crested Butte. The season begins with Keystone Resort set to be the first to open in mid-October and ending with the closing of Breckenridge running well into May, making this one of the longest seasons in the country for its Epic Pass Holders.
The race to the top is tight with Keystone Resort planning to be the first to open in all of Colorado on October 21, rivaling Arapahoe Basin which is set to open on October 22. Historically, the average opening date for the upcoming ski season has been October 22.
In addition, to the opening dates, the company shared it will limit lift ticket sales throughout the season in an effort to manage potential overcrowding. “We care deeply about our guests’ experience at our resorts,” said James O’Donnell, president of Vail Resorts’ Mountain division.
“Limiting lift tickets throughout the season, alongside the big investments we’re making at our resorts, and in our team members, will help us provide our guests with an Experience of a Lifetime this winter.”
Much of this came in response to issues the resort has experienced in past years with long lift lines and overcrowded runs. Pre-purchased passes, including the Epic Day Pass, are not limited, and if tickets are sold out online, guests will not be able to purchase at the window.
Downtown Breckenridge rests near the base of the resort. Photo: Andrew Maguire, Breckenridge Ski Resort
Aside from opening dates announcements, the winter 22/23 season ushers in exciting news from Colorado’s 26 ski areas and resorts with notable milestones, upgrades, and new additions.
Vail Resorts is investing $300 million in the guest experience this season, with new lifts at Vail and Breckenridge, a restaurant expansion at Keystone, and exciting events at all five resorts.
Vail Mountain will unveil its new two-lift project, introducing the Sun Down Lift, a new high-speed 4-person chair that will connect the bottom of Sun Down Bowl to Wildwood, allowing for a smoother connection between Lionshead Village and the Seven Legendary Back Bowls. The lift in Game Creek Bowl will also be upgraded to a new high-speed six-person lift.
Steamboat Resort continues to move forward with its second phase of a multi-million, multi-year transformation of its base area, including an ice-skating rink and new food and drink hall, while World Cup downhill racing returns to Aspen Mountain this spring.
North America’s highest-elevation restaurant re-opens at Arapahoe Basin as the completely renovated and expanded il Rifugio, a European-inspired full-service eatery, while down the road Loveland Ski Area will launch a guided snowcat operation offering backcountry trips for intermediate level and above skiers and snowboarders beginning in January of 2023.
Colorado’s oldest ski area in continuous use since 1915, Howelsen Hill in Steamboat, will open a new snow tubing area and lift to debut this December. This season also marks a few historic milestones. Telluride Ski Resort and Copper Mountain will celebrate their 50th anniversaries, and Eldora Ski Area and Vail Mountain will celebrate their 60th anniversaries.
Opening dates for the winter 22/23 season in Colorado*:
Keystone: October 21, 2022
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area: October 22, 2022
Wolf Creek Ski Area: October 29, 2022
Loveland: October 29, 2022
Aspen Snowmass: November 10, 2022
Breckenridge: November 11, 2022
Vail: November 11, 2022
Winter Park: November 17, 2022
Eldora Mountain Resort: November 18, 2022
Purgatory: November 20, 2022
Copper Mountain: November 21, 2022
Beaver Creek: November 23, 2022
Crested Butte Mountain Resort: November 23, 2022
Aspen Mountain: November 24, 2022
Telluride: November 24, 2022
Steamboat: November 26, 2022
Powderhorn: December 03, 2022
Ski Granby Ranch: December 9, 2022
Aspen Highlands: December 10, 2022
Cooper: December 10, 2022
Monarch Mountain: December 10, 2022
Howelsen Hill: December 10, 2022
Echo Mountain: December 10, 2022
Buttermilk: December 17, 2022
Sunlight Mountain Resort: December 17, 2022
Silverton Mountain: December 24, 2022
*all dates are subject to change based on weather conditions.
Source: https://www.onthesnow.com/colorado/projected-openings