SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. — Arapahoe Basin Ski Area has won the race amongst Colorado ski resorts to be the first to open for the winter season.
A-Basin re-opened Sunday at 8:30 a.m., signaling the beginning of the Colorado ski season.
The resort announced on Friday its plans to open this weekend, making it the first resort to open.
People were arriving early, some even camping out since the announcement, to be the first in line.
Lifts started turning at 8:30 a.m. and will run until 4 p.m.
The Summit County resort, which often remains open into June, aims to have the longest ski and ride season in Colorado.
The earliest Arapahoe Basin has opened is Oct. 9.
Arapahoe Basin said it will be fully open for the season, operating seven days a week. The ski area kicks off winter with one lift and one run, providing skiing and riding from mid-mountain to the base. The Black Mountain Express Lift will serve High Noon, an intermediate run.
Beginning Sunday night, Arapahoe Basin said it expects to have 24-hour-day snowmaking conditions for a few days.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort is located 68 miles west of Denver in Summit County, Colorado. The resort has 125 snow-making acres and receives 350 inches of snowfall on average.
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