Loveland Ski Area, CO, Report: Opening Day Turns

Opening day at Loveland Ski Area. Photo Credit: SnowBrains — Opening day at Loveland Ski Area. | Photo: SnowBrains

Loveland Opening Day Report from Saturday, November 8, 2025

Winter is knocking on the door, and many ski areas across North America are opening for the 2025-26 season. On November 8, Loveland Ski Area kicked off its season by running Chet’s Dream, a four-person lift that serves nearly 1,000 feet of terrain. Opening day marked the start of Loveland’s 88th season of operation.

Related: Loveland Ski Area, CO, Report: Best Day of the Season After a 50″ Week-Long Storm

Loveland Ski Area is located in the Front Range of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and is situated atop the historical Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel. Chester Upham Jr. and his wife, Virginia Lee Upham, became co-owners of the ski area in 1956. Since 1972, the Upham family has owned and operated the ski area.

Despite unfavorable weather conditions, the crew at Loveland worked long hours to prepare the slopes for opening day. With only 13 inches of snowfall for the season, Loveland put its snow guns to the test to create enough coverage to open. Loveland operated Chet’s Dream, which provided access to Catwalk, Mambo, and Home Run, as well as a small terrain park. The surrounding terrain appeared bone dry, as most of Colorado has been experiencing a slow start to the ski season.

Thankfully, Loveland has been running the snow guns. Photo Credit: SnowBrains — Thankfully, Loveland has been running the snow guns. | Photo: SnowBrains

Opening day was beautiful and sunny, and it didn’t feel as windy as forecasted. Loveland’s staff handed out brownies, and great music filled the air. My buddy and I lapped Chet’s Dream several times, enjoying the side hits and being impressed at how well the man-made snow rode. The energy was electric, and everyone on the mountain seemed to be having a great time celebrating the start of a new season.

With today marking the start of my season as well, I am amped to get back to skiing and snowboarding. Loveland is one of my favorite ski areas to enjoy a chill day of riding with friends or charging big mountain terrain off Lift 9. I can’t wait for the storms to start adding up and the terrain to start firing.

Loveland is introducing a couple of new additions this season, including a new Lift 7, a triple chair that replaces the existing double. The new lift will continue to serve terrain for beginners and Ski and Ride School guests. In addition to the lift, the Zig-Zag trail has been redesigned to function as a Beginner Family Zone. Ski and Ride School is scheduled to open on November 21.