DILLON, Colo. — Two popular Colorado ski areas are finally open for the season.
Arapahoe Basin and Keystone Resort both announced Thursday that they will open for the 2024/2025 season on Saturday, Nov. 2.
A-Basin said on opening day, visitors can enjoy skiing and riding on High Noon, which is accessed via the Black Mountain Express. A-Basin said it plans to continue snowmaking and opening more terrain as quickly as possible, starting with Lenawee Face and Dercum Dash.
Opening day at A-Basin is not for beginners, as High Noon is an intermediate run. Learning terrain will open in a few weeks, according to the release.
“Every winter at The Basin brings something new,” said Arapahoe Basin Chief Operating Officer Alan Henceroth in the release. “But this season, it’s all about delivering the A-Basin experience skiers and riders know and love — our mountain, our team, our vibe. This year will be no exception.”
The lifts at A-Basin will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will operate seven days a week. Opening day will feature giveaways and donuts for the first guests in line, and a DJ from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Keystone said in a release that it will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. It will stay open until 7 p.m. for night skiing on select Fridays, Saturdays and holidays, starting on Thanksgiving.
Keystone's two miles of opening day terrain on the Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon trails will be accessed via the River Run Gondola, with skiing and riding off the Montezuma Express lift. The release said at the end of the day, guests will take the gondola back to the base of the resort. Beginners will have access to learning terrain at the top of the River Run Gondola, and there will be a terrain park on Spring Dipper that guests can hike to.
“We are thrilled to get back on snow at Keystone! Early season wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of our employees, and I am so grateful to be a part of this incredible team,” said Keystone Resort Vice President and General Manager Shannon Buhler in the release. “There’s a lot to look forward to this winter, from year two of Bergman Bowl with its fun and approachable high alpine terrain for all levels to the return of the World’s Largest Mountaintop Snow Fort to incredible events like our new Women's Weekend and the National Brotherhood of Snowsports Annual Summit. It feels really great to be back home in Summit County and here at Keystone, and the team and I can’t wait to welcome skiers and riders back to the resort this winter.”
Guests who arrive early will be treated to free donuts and coffee, and a DJ will perform at the River Run base area and Summit House at the top of the gondola throughout the day.
The Mountain House base area is expected to open in mid-November, if weather and conditions allow.