Early Snow Makes for Early Resort Openings Out West

By
Martin Vilaboy
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Another in a series of intense winter storms across Colorado, Utah and Lake Tahoe is leading to some of the most popular ski resorts opening at a record pace, according to mountain resort operators Vail Resorts, Inc.

“This early-November storm is taking a perfect path across the western U.S., dropping snow on most major mountain ranges, including Tahoe, northern Utah, and most of Colorado,” notes Joel Gratz, founding meteorologist at OpenSnow.com. “This storm has pushed the snowpack above average for Tahoe and will increase the already above-average snowpack in much of Colorado.”

California

This storm has had its biggest impact in the Lake Tahoe area, where Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood will all open on Saturday, November 14 – six days ahead of originally-scheduled opening days for the Best of Tahoe resorts.

All three resorts each have already received about three feet of snow overall this pre-season, including six additional inches from this past storm and more than two feet at Kirkwood’s summit. Mother Nature’s work combined with around-the-clock operation from the West Coast’s two largest snowmaking systems at Heavenly and Northstar has set up a trifecta of the best snow surface conditions in Lake Tahoe. Kirkwood will be the first resort in the region to open with expert terrain.

Early season snow blankets Heavenly, which will open six days ahead of its originally scheduled opening. Heavenly, in addition to Northstar and Kirkwood, have already received about three feet of snow this pre-season. (PRNewsFoto/Vail Resorts, Inc.)
Early season snow blankets Heavenly, which will open six days ahead of its originally scheduled opening. Heavenly, in addition to Northstar and Kirkwood, have already received about three feet of snow this pre-season. (PRNewsFoto/Vail Resorts, Inc.)

Utah

Also celebrating eight inches of fresh snow, Park City will open Saturday, Nov. 21 – debuting this season as the largest ski resort in the U.S. Park City is transforming the mountain experience this season with over $50 million in resort improvements to link Park City and nearby Canyons and form one, 7,300-acre resort. The improvements, including the new Quicksilver Gondola and Miners Camp Restaurant, will be complete in time for the 2015 Christmas Holiday. Track Park City’s progress at parkcitymountain.com.

Colorado

Winter weather continued in Colorado, blanketing Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone, with nearly 10 inches of Colorado’s famous powder. Skiers and snowboarders are celebrating Keystone, which opened for the season last week; and Breckenridge, which is busily preparing to open Friday, Nov. 13. Vail is scheduled to open Friday, Nov. 20; Beaver Creek opens just before Thanksgiving, on Wednesday, Nov. 25.　

 

On Veterans Day, snow blankets the 10th Mountain Division Soldier Statue in Vail, Colorado. It pays tribute to the 18,000 brave soldiers who trained for the U.S. Army in harsh mountain conditions in nearby Camp Hale in preparation for alpine battle during World War II. (PRNewsFoto/Vail Resorts, Inc.)
On Veterans Day, snow blankets the 10th Mountain Division Soldier Statue in Vail, Colorado. It pays tribute to the 18,000 brave soldiers who trained for the U.S. Army in harsh mountain conditions in nearby Camp Hale in preparation for alpine battle during World War II. (PRNewsFoto/Vail Resorts, Inc.)