Vail Resorts on Wednesday announced target dates for opening some of Colorado’s premier ski destinations.

That includes Keystone Resort, one of the state’s first ski areas to open. Mid-October is the aim for the owning company, which has added other target dates to the calendar, depending on snow:

• Nov. 7: Breckenridge

• Nov. 14: Vail

• Nov. 26: Beaver Creek and Crested Butte

Along with other renowned slopes worldwide, those are resorts accessed by the Epic Pass. Prices for the season pass increase after Sept. 1.

The fullest access for adults costs $1,075. The more limited Epic Local Pass is $799. Another option is the Epic Day Pass, allowing guests to purchase one to seven days in advance at a discount of up to 65% compared with lift ticket prices, according to Vail Resorts’ billing. 

Last week, Vail Resorts announced adding a perk: Epic Pass holders’ friends can buy lift tickets at half-price. Pass holders will get six to 10 Epic Friend Tickets, depending on when they bought their pass.

Most of Colorado’s other ski resorts have yet to announce opening days.

Ahead of the 2024 ski season, Keystone opened on the same day, Nov. 2, as Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. That was later than usual for A-Basin, which has a reputation for being the first North American ski area to kick off the season, sometime in October.

In the state’s southwest San Juan Mountains, Wolf Creek Ski Area has also joined the race to open over the years on the occasion of big, early storms. Wolf Creek was first to welcome skiers last season on Oct. 22.

Following A-Basin and Keystone last year, Breckenridge joined Copper Mountain and Winter Park in opening Nov. 8. Loveland opened the next day.

Monarch Mountain, Aspen and Steamboat are among other resorts that have typically opened later in November.