5 Alterra Resorts Have Now Postponed Opening | Steamboat Ski Area, CO the Latest

Steamboat Ski Area, CO announced on Friday they are pushing back their opening day due to limited snowmaking and lack of early season snow. Scheduled to open on November 21, the resort will now open on December 1.

With limited snowmaking and little early season snow, we have made the decision to move our Opening Day to December 1. Current conditions do not provide adequate acreage for the resort to open and comply with mitigation plans. pic.twitter.com/vmIoMO1oQb

— #SteamboatResort (@skisteamboat) November 13, 2020

The lack of snow means the resort cannot open the terrain required to allow adequate snowcial distancing measures to be adhered to. While crews are busy preparing the slopes, uphill travel is prohibited.

“There are many things for us to balance as we approach this winter. While normally Christie Peak Express and a few trails would suffice for opening, operating in 2020 means we have to take into consideration the limited terrain and responsible course of action for our staff, guests, and community. With only two natural snowstorms this preseason and few snowmaking opportunities, we do not think it’s the best decision to open the resort without ample space for skiers and riders to spread out among lifts and trails.

It’s important for the community to stay off the mountain. When people play on the snow we have made, whether it’s skinning or sledding or hiking, they severely impact the conditions and curtail the progress of our team to build the resort’s base. That can continue to delay the resort’s ability to open.”

– Rob Perlman, president, and COO of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp

On Friday, Stratton, VT announced they too are delaying opening, again due to lack of snow, but did not give a new date to look forward to.

Looks like those 70 degree days are behind us, but we’re still looking for that first window of good snowmaking weather, which means our opening day may be later than the original projection of November 25. Stay tuned for regular updates.

– announcement on Stratton’s website

Tremblant in Quebec also delayed its opening by a week, now targeting a November 27 opening day, due to unseasonably warm weather. Other Alterra resorts Winter Park, CO, and Solitude, UT, announced last week that they would be delaying their openings.

After careful consideration, we have decided to push back the opening of our 20/21 winter season originally set for 11/18. Based on current information we anticipate opening no earlier than 11/30, but that is subject to change. We can’t wait to welcome you when the time is right. pic.twitter.com/9ewbLpMrRw

— Winter Park Resort (@WinterPark) November 3, 2020

Winter Park was originally targeting this week but is now looking to December 1 as the earliest day they could open.

• Related: Winter Park Resort, CO Postpones Opening Day Due to ‘Health Concerns, Wildfire, and Weather’

Solitude, UT was also hoping to open this week, but lack of snow forced them too to postpone their opening day indefinitely.