Arapahoe Basin Opens Season Ahead of Keystone

Arapahoe Basin began its 2026-27 ski season on Wednesday, Oct. 28, becoming the first ski area in Colorado to open this year. The resort announced at 11 a.m. that the Black Mountain Express chairlift would begin operating. Skiers accessed the intermediate High Noon run through this lift.

Keystone Resort is scheduled to open on Friday, Oct. 30. Operations will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests will have access to more than two miles of groomed terrain on the Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon trails. The River Run Gondola will provide access to open terrain and a hike-to terrain park. The Montezuma Express chairlift will also be in operation. A DJ will perform at the base of Keystone Resort to close out opening day events.

At Arapahoe Basin, the 6th Alley Bar & Grill at the base opened at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The Black Mountain Lodge opened in the afternoon. Live music played in the base area throughout the day. Staff distributed giveaways in the lift lines. Tickets were sold at the onsite guest services booth. Online ticket sales were expected to become available soon. Holders of Ikon Base Passes could use their passes for entry on the opening day.

Alan Hencerorth, president and COO of Arapahoe Basin, said the resort is celebrating its 80th anniversary. “A-Basin has punched above its weight for 80 years as a locally-loved and slightly rebellious ski area. Turning 80 is a major milestone, and we just couldn’t wait to get the anniversary season started,” Hencerorth said in a statement. “We’re still a scrappy ski area that works fast, goes far, and does it together, that’s what allowed us to open so quickly, and we couldn’t be more excited to invite you all back.”

Shannon Buhler, vice president and COO of Keystone Resort, addressed the early opening date. “We’re thrilled to kick off our ski season,” Buhler said. “Opening in October is a huge testament to the tireless and innovative work of our team. Being one of the earliest resorts to open means so much to our employees and guests, and we can’t wait to share the first turns of the season with all of them.”

Arapahoe Basin plans to operate daily until 4 p.m. for the duration of the season. Crews will continue making snow and opening additional terrain on the Front Side of the mountain as quickly as possible.

The 2026-27 season started later than last year. Despite predictions of a Super El Niño bringing precipitation to the southwestern United States, snowmaking began on Oct. 15. Crews increased operations this week as temperatures dropped and natural snow fell on the mountaintops. In the previous year, Keystone opened on Oct. 25 and Arapahoe Basin opened on Oct. 26.

Favorable conditions this week led other resorts to begin preparations. Beaver Creek Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Resort started snowmaking operations on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Both resorts have scheduled opening dates in late November.