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Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Colorado has begun positioning its snow guns, signaling that the start of the snowmaking season is almost upon us.
- Related: Brain Post: How Snow Guns Work
This is not uncommon, as A-Basin often starts snowmaking in late September in preparation for a mid-October opening. Lift tickets are already available from November 1 onwards. Historically, the resort opened on October 10, 2007, and on October 11, 2019.
The resort recently posted on social media, “Temps are dropping, cats are creepin, and the snow guns are stepping out. Keep an eye on the skies folks, winter is just around the corner.” This marks the beginning of the race to open for what has long been one of Colorado’s earliest and longest ski seasons.
Thanks to its high elevation and advanced snowmaking capabilities, Arapahoe Basin often kicks off the ski and ride season earlier than many other Colorado resorts. While no official opening is set, snow gun preparations typically begin in late September or early October, weather permitting.
- Related: Old Farmer’s Almanac Winter 2025-26 Forecast: When and Where to Expect the Most Snow This Winter
While natural snowfall remains unpredictable in early fall, the resort’s readiness to produce snow as soon as conditions allow signals that winter is indeed approaching in Colorado. Keep an eye on weather forecasts, as the arrival of colder nights will trigger the resort’s full snowmaking operations and set the stage for opening day festivities.
With over 75 years as a legendary ski and snowboard destination, Arapahoe Basin consistently vies to be the first resort to open in the country each season. Below is a list of the resorts that have opened first in North America for the last 15 years or so.
- 2024-25: Ski Ward, Massachusetts – October 19
- 2023-24: Ski Ward, Massachusetts – October 22
- 2022-23: Wild Mountain, Minnesota – October 18
- 2021-22: Wolf Creek, Colorado – October 16
- 2020-21: Wild Mountain, Minnesota – October 19
- 2019-20: Arapahoe Basin, Colorado – October 11
- 2018-19: Wolf Creek, Colorado – October 13
- 2017-18: Arapahoe Basin, Colorado – October 13
- 2016-17: Arapahoe Basin, Colorado – October 21
- 2015-16: Killington, Vermont – October 18
- 2014-15: Arapahoe Basin, Colorado – October 17
- 2013-14: Arapahoe Basin, Colorado – October 13
- 2012-13: Wild Mountain, Minnesota – October 18
- 2011-12: Wolf Creek, Colorado – October 11
- 2010-11: Sunday River, Maine – October 23
- 2009-10: Loveland, Colorado – October 6
- 2008-09: Loveland, Colorado – October 7
