It’s On! Winter Ski Season 2018-19 Is Underway in Colorado and Beyond

Arapahoe Basin, Loveland Ski Area, Killington and Sunday River are Open for Skiing and Snowboarding

The time of year we’ve all been waiting for is here. Winter 2018-2019 is officially underway. Thanks to early season snowfall, several resorts across the United States have started spinning their lifts with ample snow conditions for mid-October.

In Colorado, the race to open is always a highly contested match between Arapahoe Basin and Loveland Ski Area. This year, A-Basin took the win and opened first on Friday, October 19, 2018. Loveland opens on Saturday. Wolf Creek is also open on weekends only, as snow conditions permit.

On Friday, hundreds of eager skiers and snowboarders made the inaugural trek to the mountains and lined up for some of their first runs of the season. The stoke was palpable amongst the rowdy crowd comprised of eager snow enthusiasts ranging from young to old.

Promptly at 9 am, a crew of four snowboarders who had been waiting for first chair since the wee hours of the night before, blasted through the ‘Colorado is Open’ sign, signifying the start to the season at A-Basin.

Thanks to two feet of natural snow in the last few weeks coupled with snow-making efforts and a nice overnight dusting, A-Basin opened with a 19” inch packed powder base.

“First powder day of the season!” grinned one skier eager clad in a wolf cap and woven leather jacket as he lined up for another run. Coyote Carl has been coming to opening day at A-Basin for over the last 10 years, and commented that this was one of the best he’s seen in while.

“The snow is soft, people are stoked, what could be better?” He remarked as he slid into the chair for another lap.

Colorado isn’t the only state getting things going, as Killington and Sunday River in Vermont are also open. At Killington, the first turns of the season were reserved exclusively for their Season Pass, Ikon Pass, Express Card, and Beast365 pass holders, but will open to the public on Saturday.

This marks the second earliest opening for Sunday River in the resort’s history.

With the season starting off with a bang, it’s high time to lock in your season pass, along with your vacation plans for this winter!

Winter is here, are you ready?

Photos: @RachaelZimmermanphotography

Words: @heatherhendrickshh