A snowstorm that brought up to three feet of snow in parts of the southern Colorado mountains has prompted the earliest opening ever for a Colorado ski resort there.
Wolf Creek Ski Areaeast of Pagosa Springs plans to fire up its lifts this weekend. Melanie Mills is president and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA, a trade group that represents most resorts in the state.
"Remember it’s all natural snow down at Wolf Creek, they’re not making snow down there," said Mills.
She says a strong early ski season is important for the state's $3 billion a year ski industry.
"It’s just too exciting of an opportunity to pass up so regardless of the year, regardless of the season, I think any one of our resorts in Colorado would take advantage of a similar opportunity," Mills says.
Wolf Creek’s previous record opening was October 26th back in 2007.
Typically Arapahoe Basin andLoveland Ski Area compete to be the first resort to open in Colorado – thanks to a heavy investment in snowmaking equipment.
