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Ready to hit the slopes? Here's when ski areas start opening for the season in Colorado

KUNC | By Nikole Robinson Carroll

Published October 4, 2026 at 6:00 AM MDT

A person dressed in dark clothes is dwarfed by snow and trees as they ski across the landscape. — A skier navigates a snowy forest at Aspen Highlands ski mountain in December 2019.

Snowmaking machines are firing up after a storm system crossed the state Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, giving the High Country a bit more moisture to work with and dropping snow above 11,000 feet.

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If you’re ready for ski, snowboard and tube season, here’s a list of anticipated opening dates at the spots near you:

Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

Arapahoe Basin, Keystone

Friday, Oct. 30, 2026

Winter Park Resort, Winter Park

Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026

Keystone Resort, Keystone

Friday, Nov. 6, 2026

Breckenridge Ski Resort, Breckenridge

Copper Mountain Resort, Frisco

Loveland Ski Area, Dillon

Friday, Nov. 13, 2026

Eldora Mountain Resort, Nederland

Vail Resort, Vail

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026

Steamboat Ski Resort, Steamboat Springs

Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026

Aspen Mountain, Aspen

Beaver Creek Resort, Beaver Creek

Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Crested Butte

Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026

Aspen Snowmass, Snowmass Village

Telluride Resort, Telluride

Friday, Nov. 27, 2026

Granby Ranch, Granby

Friday, Dec. 4, 2026

Monarch Mountain, Salida

Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Mesa

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026

Howelsen Hill Ski Area, Steamboat Springs

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2026

Copper Mountain Resort, Frisco

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026

Echo Mountain, Idaho Springs

Sunlight Mountain Resort, Glenwood Springs

Monday, Dec. 14, 2026

Buttermilk Ski Resort, Aspen

Aspen Highlands, Aspen

Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026

Silverton Mountain, Silverton

One thing to remember, the weather can change a resort's plans. Last year, multiple ski destinations pushed back their start date as a strong drought slowed the winter season.

Tags

News Skiing & Snowboarding Winter Outdoor Recreation

Nikole Robinson Carroll

As a reporter and host for KUNC, I follow the local stories of the day while also guiding KUNC listeners through NPR's wider-scope coverage. It's an honor and a privilege to help our audience stay informed and entertained.

See stories by Nikole Robinson Carroll

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