What’s New for the Upcoming Ski Season?

A-Basin just announced they will open on Friday, October 19th. Loveland is opening the following day, Saturday the 20th. More areas will open on November 9^th and 16^th.  Generally, by Thanksgiving, all the ski areas will have at least one lift turning, hopefully more! Ski season is here! There are a few improvements you will see out there this upcoming ski season.

A-Basin’s New Lift

Arapahoe Basin opened new terrain last season, the Beavers. It is steep and deep, hike out terrain. This summer they added a chair lift to that new terrain. Now that we have a ride out, I am excited to give the new terrain a try for this upcoming ski season.

Copper Mountain Improvements

Copper Mountain took out both the lifts in Center Village, the Eagle and Flyer, over the summer.  The Eagle will be a combination chair lift and gondola. I have never seen one of these but from what I understand, after every two or three chairs should be a gondola cabin. They are all on the same line so neither will be a quicker ride. Which you take will just be a matter of preference and, maybe, how long the line at the bottom is. The new Flyer lift will still be a regular chair lift but each chair will have a bubble to help keep skiers out of the wind. The Flyer is known as the “Freezer” because it is such a long cold ride. Hopefully it needs a new nickname after the upcoming ski season.

The Ikon Pass

The Ikon Pass is another new thing for the upcoming ski season. It replaces the Rocky Mountain Super Pass which was a combination Copper/Winter Park pass.  The Ikon Pass adds a lot more destinations, like Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole and Eldora. Having this pass may require some quick ski trips this year.  I think putting Copper Mountain on a multiple mountain pass may make Copper a little busier than it has been in years past. I am selfishly hoping that is not the case.

With the recent snowfall and cold temperatures, the ski areas have been making snow like crazy. Unfortunately, warmer temperatures are in the forecast.  If the nighttime lows can still stay cold, it shouldn’t hinder October openings much.

Get your ski legs ready for the upcoming ski season!