Keystone Resort opened for the season Friday, celebrating its 50th birthday among an unusually late start to the ski and snowboard season statewide.

Keystone is the second resort in the state to open for the 2020-21 season, and the first near the Front Range.

Dry weather and wildfires have tarnished snowmaking efforts at many big-name resorts, including Loveland and Arapahoe Basin ski areas.

The family-run Wolf Creek Ski Area was the first in the state to open for the season on Oct. 28.

This was the latest statewide opening day since Loveland kicked off the 2015 season on Oct. 29.

Keystone attributes its opening to recent investments in its energy-efficient snowmaking system from summer 2019.

The resort said it plans to continue making snow at every opportunity as conditions and weather permit. Snowmaking is planned for this weekend and next week.

The resort will open with three miles of trail and 60 acres, running top-to-bottom intermediate skiing and riding out of River Run Village.

Open lifts include the River Run Gondola, Summit Express and Montezuma Express Lift. Open trails include Schoolmarm, Silverspoon, Last Chance, Jaybird, Dercum’s Dash, lower River Run and Endeavor.

Keystone will expand terrain as snow accumulates, hoping to open the Mountain House base area soon.

Opening day through Dec. 7 is exclusively for pass holders only.

All guests will require a reservation and face coverings to access the mountain.