Industry News
Boulder County’s Backyard Ski Area, the Front Range’s Closest Ikon Pass Destination, will Open on Thursday, November 7
Nederland, Colorado (November 5, 2024)—Eldora, Boulder, Denver, and Colorado’s northern Front Range’s backyard winter playground will open early for skiing and riding on Thursday, November 7.
Thanks to cold temperatures ideal for snowmaking operations, recent natural snowfall, and the relentless efforts of mountain operations staff, the Boulder County mountain will open eight days ahead of its scheduled opening, Friday, November 15.
“Our amazing employees left it all on the field—or slopes, I should say. Thanks to our hardworking staff, we can open Eldora for alpine skiing and snowboarding more than a week ahead of schedule. They, and our beloved guests, have made Eldora the go-to gathering spot for local skiers and riders for more than 60 years. We’re the perfect half-day mountain, where you can grab a couple hours on snow and then get on with your day.”
– Brent Tregaskis, Eldora’s president and general manager
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Eldora guests, here’s what to expect for Opening Day:
Hours: Beginning Thursday, the Alpenglow chair will spin from 9:00 to 4:00 Monday through Friday and 8:30 to 4:00 Saturday and Sunday, weather and conditions permitting.
Open Terrain: A full 1,000 vertical feet of terrain will be open, including Hornblower, Windmill, International trails, and a small terrain park near West Wing Lodge. No beginner terrain, lessons, uphill access, or Nordic/snowshoe trails will be open, but everyone is welcome to join the fun in the base area.
Safety: Expect limited terrain and thin, early-season conditions. No tree-skiing/riding areas will be open. Guests should not venture off groomed runs and should be prepared to ski and ride safely and responsibly all season long, bearing in mind the Responsibility Code and Colorado Ski Safety Act every time they hit the slopes.
Donuts and Dancing: We’ll have fresh donuts and goodies while supplies last for the first guests in the lift maze, live tunes from a local DJ, and those down-home, feel-good Eldora vibes you’ve been missing since last winter.
Eldora Passes: Eldora Pass holders who reloaded their Eldora Cards from last season can go straight to the lift. Otherwise, pick up your pass at the automated Pick-Up Box at Indian Peaks Lodge using the QR code in your confirmation email. Hot tip: Ensure you’ve uploaded a photo and signed your waiver to avoid being stalled at the RFID gate.
Ikon Passes: Ikon Pass holders can go straight to the lift; if you haven’t received your pass in the mail, we can print it for you at the Subie Shack just west of Indian Peaks Lodge (look for the Ikon Pass flags).
Day Tickets: All ticket and pass purchases must be made online. Purchase online, in advance, at store.eldora.com and retrieve your ticket at the Pick-Up Box using your confirmation email’s QR code, as described above.
Additional news beyond Opening Day includes:
Caribou Lodge: The biggest investment in the new season—and the future of the Eldora community—is the Caribou Lodge, a new, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient, 12,000-square-foot facility that will open to the public in early December. Caribou Lodge will provide a new home for Ignite Adaptive Sports and house the Eldora children’s ski and ride school, a cozy cafe, new restrooms, and a retail shop. Built to meet the 2018 International Green Building Codes, Caribou Lodge is part of the Xcel Energy Efficient Building Program, emphasizing Eldora’s commitment to sustainability. Standout features of the lodge are its 52.65kW solar array that generates more than enough energy to power the facility fully and a three-story elevator and bridge that allow adaptive athletes to directly and easily access lifts and trails. The new lodge ensures a warm, welcoming, and environmentally conscious environment for children, families, and adaptive athletes to learn and enjoy winter sports.
