Which Mountains Are Calling? Open ski resorts in Colorado

By Kyle Zinkula

Following the heavy snowfall we received in Colorado Springs early this week, skiers and snowboarders alike must be wondering, “Can I finally go skiing/snowboarding now?” The answer to that question is yes, but only at some resorts. 

Which mountains are currently open? When will the remaining ski locations open if they have not already? Here’s a breakdown of Colorado’s most popular ski mountains:

This year the Epic Pass allows its holder unlimited access in Colorado to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Crested Butte, as well as seven days at Telluride. Only Keystone is currently accepting skiers, having opened on Oct. 12. Breckenridge opens on Nov. 8, followed by Vail on Nov. 15, Beaver Creek on Nov. 27, and lastly, Telluride on Nov. 28. 

For any Colorado College student with an Epic Pass hoping to get out and begin their 2019-20 ski season Block Break 3, three of the Epic Pass resorts will be open. You could even be the first to ski/snowboard Vail on opening day, Friday, Nov. 15. 

The other popular ski pass option, the Ikon Pass, makes the following mountains available on an unlimited basis to snow sport enthusiasts: Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, Copper Mountain, and Eldora. In addition, holders of the full Ikon Pass have seven days at all four Aspen resorts and Arapahoe Basin. 

Two mountains on the Ikon Pass are currently open: Arapahoe Basin and Eldora Mountain. Arapahoe Basin has been open since Oct. 11 and Eldora opens today, Nov. 1. The remaining mountains open as follows: Copper Mountain on Nov. 8, followed by Winter Park on Nov. 13, and Steamboat on Nov. 23. All four Aspen mountains — Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, and Buttermilk — are offered by the Ikon Pass together, not individually, for seven days. Of those mountains, the first to open are Aspen Mountain and Snowmass on Nov. 28. Well worth the wait, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk will be the last two mountains on the Epic or Ikon Pass to open in Colorado, with a projected date of Dec. 7.

Now that you know the day your favorite resort will be opening, it’s time to get your skis and/or board tuned and waxed at the Ski Co-Op and reserve your seat on the Freerider’s Union of CC bus. Happy riding, CC!