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For Colorado’s Ski Industry, a Strong Start to the Season

Eldora Mountain Resort

Thanks to colder temperatures and recent snowfall, Eldora Mountain Resort will open tomorrow morning. It’s one of several ski areas that are starting out the season strong.

Some resorts have opened earlier than scheduled this year—including Loveland, Arapahoe Basin and Snowmass. And that’s largely due to the perfect mix of weather conditions.

“The early season here in Colorado is shaping up to be fantastic,” said Jennifer Rudolph, a spokesperson for the industry trade group Colorado Ski Country USA. “The amount of snow and cold temperatures are helping resorts make snow and open up earlier.”

Forecasters are predicting that a La Nina weather pattern will return to Colorado again this year, which could translate into heavy snowfall. But climatologist Klaus Wolter of the University of Colorado and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said this year it won’t be as strong as last. Translation: Don’t get your heart set on a second year of record snowfall.