Colorado ski area opening days for 2025-26 season
Parker Seibold
Maybe you’re not quite thinking winter, but Colorado’s ski areas sure are.
Plans for the season ahead are in full swing — starting with target opening dates.
Following Vail Resorts’ announcement for some of the state’s premier destinations, Colorado Ski Country USA has posted dates for the majority of the state’s ski areas that it represents.
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Here’s a look, with snow dictating several opening days:
As early as possible, typically mid- or late October: Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Loveland, Winter Park
As early as possible, potentially October: Wolf Creek
Nov. 7: Breckenridge, Copper Mountain
Nov. 14: Eldora, Vail
Typically mid- or late November: Monarch
Nov. 22: Steamboat, Purgatory, Powderhorn
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
Ski patrollers end strike against Telluride
RACHAEL WRIGHT Special to The Gazette
rachael-wright-special-to-the-gazette@denvergazette.com
Updated 5 hours ago
After 13 days, the longest ski patrol strike in U.S. history has come to an end. On Dec. 27, the 72-member Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association voted to go on strike after approaching Telluride Ski Resort (Telski) owner Chuck Horning...
Colorado Parks and Wildlife building ‘bison roster’ for new potential hunting
Seth Boster
seth-boster@denvergazette.com
Updated 34 minutes ago
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is building a list of prospective bison hunters ー a first for the agency as the iconic animal comes under new state management. Starting this year after the passage of Senate Bill 25-053, bison will be...
Seth Boster
Reporter
Sunday tickets are free at this historic Colorado ski area
Seth Boster
seth-boster@denvergazette.com
Updated 4 days ago
Colorado’s best ski deal? Maybe one that costs nothing at all. At Steamboat Springs’ Howelsen Hill, “Sunday Funday is taken to an entirely new level,” reads the city webpage for Ski Free Sundays. Yes, on Sundays throughout the season, visitors...
Seth Boster
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Woman killed by mountain lion identified, lion search ends
Sage Kelley
sage-kelley@denvergazette.com
Updated 2 days ago
The woman who died after a suspect mountain lion attack was identified by officials Monday. The victim of the New Year’s Day attack was 46-year-old Kristen Marie Kovatch of Fort Collins, according to a news release from the Larimer County...
Sage Kelley
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Two chances for snow in Colorado during first full week of January, 8-16″ possible
Jonathan Ingraham
jonathan.ingraham@denvergazette.com
Updated 3 days ago
Snow is back in the forecast for Colorado, with two moderate storms bringing precipitation to all three mountain zones over the next five days. Colorado’s snowpack is still hurting, but Mother Nature is chipping away at the deficit some, however,...
Jonathan Ingraham
Reporter
Expanded trails, future destinations among new year plans for Colorado Springs outdoors
Seth Boster
seth-boster@denvergazette.com
Updated 4 days ago
Across Colorado Springs’ outdoors, the new year will see new trails and progress toward new destinations. “There’s a lot of great stuff coming up,” said David Deitemeyer, senior administrator for the city’s Trails, Open Space and Parks program. He recently...
Seth Boster
Reporter
Winter Park Resort sets opening date for Mary Jane side, 50th birthday party to ensue
Jonathan Ingraham
jonathan.ingraham@denvergazette.com
Updated 3 days ago
The wait is over Colorado skiers and riders, Winter Park Resort in Grand County is opening the Mary Jane side of the ski area for the season on Friday, Jan. 9. The timing is perfect as the ski area is...
Jonathan Ingraham
Reporter
Opening day set for Ice Castles in Cripple Creek amid warm spell
Seth Boster
seth-boster@denvergazette.com
Updated 1 week ago
Against the odds of a balmy December, an icy destination is just about ready west of Colorado Springs. A news release announced a Jan. 10 opening day for Ice Castles in Cripple Creek. The colorful, immersive attraction of slides, arches,...
Seth Boster
Reporter
Vehicle pass fees to increase at these Colorado state parks in 2026
Noah Festenstein
noah-festenstein@denvergazette.com
Updated 1 week ago
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials Wednesday reminded visitors of daily vehicle pass fee increases at select state parks beginning in the new year. Starting Thursday, daily fees are increased by $2 at four northwest Colorado state parks. The fees are...
Noah Festenstein
Reporter
Weekend parking reservations at Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin delayed two more weeks
Jonathan Ingraham
jonathan.ingraham@denvergazette.com
Updated 1 week ago
The parking reservation system at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Summit County, Colorado has been delayed and will now begin on Jan. 17. Reservations were initially planned to start on Jan. 3. “As a ski area, we take pride in being flexible, updating our policies and...
Jonathan Ingraham
Reporter
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