[PHOTO TOUR] Colorado Ski Resorts See Up to 6″ of September Snow Accumulation

Colorado’s mountains received their first significant snowfall of the season this week, with ski resorts seeing several inches of fresh snow. Some resorts had already seen light dustings over the past week or so, with Breckenridge, Loveland, and Keystone sharing images of their first flakes earlier in September. However, yesterday’s storm marked the season’s first measurable accumulation.

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Winter Park Resort came out the winner, measuring about six inches of accumulation, according to the online snow stake webcam. While early-season flakes at high elevations are not unusual, Miller noted that snow reaching the resort’s base in late September came ahead of schedule. The storm prompted the closure of Winter Park’s bike park to prevent trail damage, though summer operations are scheduled to continue through the weekend.

Colorado Department of Transportation crews were also dispatched to nearby Berthoud Pass to keep roads clear after snowfall blanketed the corridor.

Loveland, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Copper Mountain all reported trace accumulations, sparking anticipation for the upcoming ski season. While Winter Park and others have yet to announce official opening dates, snowmaking crews are standing by for colder overnight temperatures before firing up machines.

• Related: Colorado Resorts See First Snowfall of the 2025-26 Season

Snowfall also extended into Rocky Mountain National Park, where accumulation forced temporary closures of Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road. Park officials said conditions would be reassessed on Wednesday. While snow fell as low as the foothills near Denver, meteorologists emphasized the heaviest accumulation—up to five inches—remained above 11,000 feet.

Historically, Denver does not usually see its first measurable snow until around October 18, although September snowfall has been recorded in past years. Warmer weather is forecast to return over the next week, meaning this week’s storm is unlikely to signal the sustained arrival of winter.

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