This past summer, Bob Nicolls was hiking a mountainside west of the Colorado ski area he owns and gazing at freshly cut trails dropping from the Continental Divide. 

He imagined the months ahead, when those dirt trails would fill with snow. Nicolls had long imagined this expansion of Monarch Mountain, predating his 20-plus years of ownership. But now, finally, he could see it — skiers sliding between the trees of No Name Basin, seeking powder and views from this side of the mountain that would now be reached via chairlift. 

“People are gonna be blown away,” Nicolls said. 

The No Name Basin expansion marks a major moment in Monarch’s 86-year history — highlighting updates across Colorado’s ski country as the 2025-’26 season gets underway.

Not since the 1999 installation of Pioneer Lift has Monarch seen an addition like Tomichi Lift, the triple chair that will carry visitors back up No Name Basin after their drop from front-side lifts. And not since the ski area’s 1939 beginnings has there been such a celebration of new terrain. Generations of skiers only imagined convenient access to the other, western side of the Continental Divide. 

“It’s taken forever, but it is a 50% terrain expansion,” Nicolls said. “And because we’ve been skiing it as part of the snowcat tours, we’ve skied it obviously. But now it’s gonna be proper runs — proper, lift-served runs.”

Twelve intermediate- and advanced-rated runs spread across 377 acres and about 1,000 vertical feet, down from the top of the Divide near 11,700 feet. These were details approved by the U.S. Forest Service last year, 13 years after the vision for No Name Basin was formally proposed in a master plan. 

“This terrain would better disperse guests,” that plan stated, “and allow guests to feel even closer to nature.” 

A long time coming indeed, Nicolls said, speaking to record visitation that’s been reported at Monarch over the past decade. 

“It’s not ‘build it and they will come.’ They’re already coming,” he said.

When might they finally come to No Name Basin? Monarch’s front side has commonly opened in late November. 

“It depends on which way the wind is blowing for those early-season storms,” Nicolls said. “It could be better snow back there than the front side.”

As other ski areas open in the days and weeks ahead, here are some other updates: 

Arapahoe Basin 

Ikon Base Pass holders will have unlimited access to A-Basin through Dec. 19 — days that will not count against the five total for the season previously announced for those with the Base Pass. The limit will apply after Dec. 19. People with the more expensive Ikon Pass will have unlimited access for the ’25-’26 season, up from seven days in prior seasons. 

The changes come after Ikon-owning Alterra Mountain Co. acquired the ski area. And they come after A-Basin started parking reservations, what operators call “a governing factor for our most popular days.” The $20 reservations must be made for Saturdays and Sundays between 6 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 3-May 3.

Aspen Snowmass 

Snowmass will debut a high-speed, six-seat lift replacing the Elk Camp quad. The resort also has replaced the platter lift serving the Cirque with a T-bar, figuring to double capacity and simplify access to that expert, high-altitude terrain. Snowmass reports this being the first time in almost 20 years that two new lifts will be introduced. 

Elk Camp Restaurant is expanding with a 120-seat deck featuring retractable walls for taking in the view. While another go-to restaurant, Ullrhof, undergoes a rebuild, the long-closed Spider Sabich Race and Picnic Area will reopen with a slope-side pop-up called The Hot Dogger.

Breckenridge 

Breck in recent years has celebrated lift upgrades across Peaks 7 and 8, and a revamped base at Peak 9 could be next under a proposal. Now for a break in the action — a party in the form of the first-year Rockstar Energy Open, billed as “a free three-day festival blending world-class competition, live music and a buzzing fan village.” Set for Dec. 19-21, the event will coincide with the 62nd Ullr Fest, during which a parade, street-length shotski and huge bonfire welcome back winter. 

Ski Cooper

The humble, historic ski area near Leadville announced a bold pricing plan ahead of last season: $45 tickets for adults, purchased online or at the window, Monday-Thursday excluding holidays and spring break. For this season, passes are listed at $49 — with the addition of Fridays. Blackouts for holidays and spring break still apply. Saturday and Sunday tickets are listed at $99 for adults (ages 22-68).

Copper Mountain

New fan guns, towers and semi-automatic hydrants represent the first investments in a multi-year mission to upgrade snowmaking and boost early-season conditions. Work this offseason focused on venues key to Copper’s reputation as the “Athlete’s Mountain” — including the Central Park terrain park and the Superpipe — and across nine trails in the East and Center areas. 

One of those trails, Rosi’s Run, will host alpine racers of the inaugural Stifel Copper Cup, putting the resort back on the Olympic map. Races and festivities will descend upon Copper over Thanksgiving weekend, months ahead of the Winter Games in Milano Cortina.

Granby Ranch

The humble ski area has vied to boost its appeal by making the most of its two mountainsides. On the more advanced West Mountain, crews this summer regraded, removed trees and added snowmaking to seven acres where operators saw more potential. The reimagined area is being called Renegade Ridge — “clueing in to the faux-bowl shape and how it provides skiers and riders with more lines to choose from,” according to a news release. 

Meanwhile, on East Mountain, offseason work aimed to improve tree skiing. And a new scenic deck and “snack hut” has been added to the top of the mountain.

Keystone 

Keystone is elevating luxury in a big way with Kindred Resort. Years in the making, Kindred this winter is set to welcome guests who will be spoiled to upscale rooms with Dercum Mountain vistas, a heated pool beside cocktail service, four dining options and a spa — all just steps from the River Run Gondola. The development will be the new home to Keystone Ski and Ride School and base for rentals and retail. 

Loveland 

Out with the old — Loveland’s oldest chairlift of 42 years — and in with the new Lift 7. Loveland Valley’s former double lift is now a fixed-grip triple that has been described as “much wider than a standard triple chair, offering more space and comfort for beginners as they learn to load and ride.”

Operators had those beginners in mind as well with changes to Zig Zag Trail. With some widening and grading, the ski area boasts “a completely new ski and ride experience” and “an ideal beginner and family-friendly ski zone.” 

And Loveland is introducing a sweet new way to warm up: a “gourmet hot chocolate bar” inside the Basin Lodge, complete with various flavors and toppings. 

Purgatory 

When the Durango area resort opened Dec. 4, 1965, lift tickets were $4.50. That’s a price unheard-of 60 years later, of course. But $9 is pretty close. That’s the starting rate for tickets on select dates this season, as part of Purgatory’s fluctuating, demand-based pricing.

Ahead of its 60th season, the resort is also proud to report expanded snowmaking around Ray’s Ridge, Blackburn’s Bash and Legends Bypass — meant to “improve coverage and ensure more reliable access to the backside and Legends Express (Lift 8).”

Sunlight Mountain 

At the end of last season, the Glenwood Springs resort marked the end of an era by retiring Segundo, what was considered Colorado’s oldest operating lift going back to the 1950s. A new era dawns at Sunlight with Segundo’s replacement as well as Primo Lift’s replacement — together spelling the resort’s largest capital project ever. 

A-Basin’s former Lenawee Lift, a triple chair, is taking the place of the old Segundo. The Segundo name will remain, as will Primo for the new quad lift. Primo has long been a fixed-grip double. 

Telluride 

Built in 1999 and 2001, respectively, Lifts 5 and 12 have been equipped with new parts aimed at extending their lives by 10-15 years while maintaining current ride times. Lift 5, Polar Queen Express, serves intermediate terrain around mid-mountain, while Lift 12 is the Prospect Express accessing extreme slopes beneath Palmyra Peak. 

Lift 4 is the Village Express rising to popular trails above Mountain Village. New snowmaking infrastructure near the lift “will substantially increase coverage in the main base area,” according to the resort. 

Vail 

The resort is expanding its après scene with more live entertainment and dining experiences. One example: a year-round Oktoberfest feel at the Two Elk Biergarten, where couples can order beer, brats and dessert for two. The 10th, meanwhile, is inviting couples to “the lost art of the long lunch:” Caesar salad, truffle fries and martinis. Or maybe grab lunch at the reimagined Sun Terrace at Mid-Vail, inspired by Europe’s alpine cafes. 

Winter Park 

To celebrate 50 years of Mary Jane, what Winter Park calls its “famed and untamed second mountain,” the resort is hosting Send’er November, a month-long series of events and perks. For skiing twice in the month, one receives access to Mary Jane before opening time, membership to ski patrol text alerts with valuable on-mountain beta and five Early Ups tickets for first tracks from the gondola, Super Gauge and Explorer lifts. 

Amtrak’s Winter Park Express is expanding service between Denver’s Union Station and the resort base. Starting Dec. 19, the train will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and then add Thursdays from Jan. 8-March 29. Tickets start at $19.

Wolf Creek

Short on space for both skis and snowboards, family-owned Wolf Creek has long rented boards out of a yurt. The under-construction Stokin’ Boards Rental Shop will be “a lot bigger,” said Rosanne Pitcher of the owning family. “It’ll be a lot bigger and have a nicer feel. It was very crowded in” the yurt.

Pitcher described Stokin’ Boards as the start of a multi-year effort to upgrade the base area. A revamped main lodge could be next, she said.

Opening days

Keystone Resort, Arapahoe Basin and Winter Park have kicked off Colorado’s ski season, with more lifts set to spin soon.

Here’s a look at anticipated and scheduled opening days:

As soon as possible: Loveland, Wolf Creek

Nov. 7: Breckenridge, Copper Mountain

Nov. 14: Eldora, Vail

Typically late November: Monarch

Nov. 21: Powderhorn

Nov. 22: Steamboat, Purgatory

Nov. 26: Beaver Creek, Crested Butte, Granby Ranch

Nov. 27: Aspen Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Telluride

Dec. 10: Ski Cooper

Dec. 12: Sunlight

Dec. 13: Aspen Highlands

Dec. 20: Aspen Buttermilk

Dec. 27: Silverton

TBD: Echo Mountain, Howelsen Hill