First Snowfall:
How to hit the slopes early this season
With winter right around the corner, ski enthusiasts eagerly await the chance to hit the slopes. For those looking to get an early start on the season, the US offers several prime destinations to be among the first making fresh tracks. From west to east, these are some of the best places to get first tracks and make your friends back home wish they’d come along for the adventure.
WEST
Out west, Colorado is a skier's paradise that boasts some of the earliest opening dates each year. Arapahoe Basin usually opens up its first runs in mid-October, often beating other Colorado resorts by weeks. At an elevation of over 12,000 feet, early season snow accumulation is nearly guaranteed. Nearby Loveland and Keystone are also contenders, often opening by late October.
Another early season hot spot is Mount Bachelor in Oregon which has a targeted opening day in early to mid-November. Its base elevation of 5,700 feet gets plenty of natural snowfall. Timberline Lodge located further up the mountain is unique for offering Palmer skiing, an early season option on the Palmer glacier.
EAST
On the east coast, Sunday River in Maine is one of the first to kick off the ski season, usually by early to mid-November. Their snowmaking capabilities help transform the slopes before winter fully arrives. Vermont's Killington Mountain also vies to open first, aiming for early November if conditions permit.
For skiers anxious to carve up the slopes, these early opening ski resorts provide the first taste of winter. Their abilities to open early get the season started so we can enjoy the snow conditions as soon as possible. It's time to start preparing your gear, book your trip, and get ready to hit these first-to-open ski runs.
