L-R: Dustin Schaefer, Loveland Ski Area; Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area and Loveland Ski Area fired theirsnow guns andkickedColorado’s#RaceToOpen into high gear last night, October 1, 2014.
“It takes approximately two weeks from the start of snowmaking to create the 18-inch base necessary to start skiing on the first trail to open, the intermediate High Noon run. After that, we focus our snowmaking efforts on the neighboring Ramrod and Sundance runs, and if the snowmaking season is prime, we move to the upper mountain. We hope to see a strong early snow season to buttress our efforts and bring the snow to the powderhounds in Colorado!”, said Adrienne Saia Isaac, Marketing & Communications Manager for Arapahoe Basin.
Just across the Continental Divide,Mother Nature delivered seveninches of snow to the slopes of Loveland Ski Area over the past three days. Not to be outdone, Loveland’s snowmaking team fired up 17 snow guns last night and began laying down some man-made flakes of their own.
“Our first night of snowmaking was very productive,” said Bobby Babeon, trail maintenance and snowmaking manager. “Mother Nature got us off to a good start and our team is ready to finish the job. We will keep making snow around the clock as conditions permit and the slopes should be ready for the first skiers and riders in just a few weeks.”
It typically takes about two weeks for Loveland’s snowmakers to cover the 1,000 foot vertical run with an 18-inch base for opening day. Last season Loveland Ski Area started making snow on September 27 and opened on October 17. Loveland is expecting to open in mid-October.
“While most people dream of a white Christmas, here at Loveland we are focused on a white October,” said John Sellers, marketing director. “The natural snow we received gave us a bit of a head start this year and now our expert snowmakers are chipping in to prepare the slopes for opening day. We look forward to starting up the lifts for all the skiers and snowboarders that have patiently made it through another long summer.”
Loveland season passes and 4-Paks are available online atskiloveland.comthrough November 23, 2014, and Arapahoe Basin’s season passes, Elevation 4-Pass, and Transferable 4-Pack are available at arapahoebasin.com.
