Vail and Winter Park Lifts Spin Up Friday as Wolf Creek Reopens Saturday
Front Range resorts launch the 2026-27 season with limited terrain, while southern Colorado areas await snowfall.
By Neha Kapoor ·
Vail and Winter Park started chairlifts Friday morning, marking the first day of operations for the 2026-27 winter season. Wolf Creek Ski Area near Pagosa Springs follows with a reopening Saturday after a brief closure due to storm damage. Eldora Mountain Ski Resort has pushed back its start date, waiting for colder air to activate snowmaking equipment.
Forecasters predict snow toward the end of next week. This weather could support snowmaking efforts at resorts currently relying on artificial production. Vail COO Shaydar Edelmann noted that crews worked to use every available cold window to build the snow base. The resort is one of few that met its originally planned opening date despite regional warmth.
Vail operations run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Beginner terrain is closed. Skiers can access the Ramshorn run via the Mountaintop Express chairlift, which connects to Gondola One. A terrain park sits on the Swingsville run, reachable by hike, a new feature for the resort. Edelmann stated the team feels confident in the mountain's readiness despite the different initial layout.
Winter Park opened with at least two chairlifts active near the village base. The Arrow and Gemini Express lifts provide access to the Parkway, Sorensen Park, and Village Way/Parkway Byway trails. Base area amenities, including Starbucks, Derailer bar, and the Tune Shop, are open for guests. Lifts run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Friday, with earlier 8 a.m. openings on weekends beginning December 5.
Wolf Creek reopened U.S. 160 to traffic at 7 a.m. Saturday. The resort had welcomed skiers for one day on October 31 before closing on state recommendation as storms flooded the region. Lifts will operate on Saturdays and Sundays only until natural snowfall increases. The Treasure Stoke, Bonanza, Tumbler, Lynx, and Nova lifts are active from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering access to roughly half the mountain. Dining options include the Upper Lodge, Pathfinder Bar, Continental Espresso Bar, and Base Camp Picnic Building.
Drivers heading to Wolf Creek should expect bottlenecks on U.S. 160. The Colorado Department of Transportation is rebuilding roads damaged by recent flooding. Snow is also in the forecast for the drive. Wolf Creek does not produce artificial snow, so weekend operations depend on current snowpack levels.
Eldora Mountain Ski Resort delayed its opening from Friday without announcing a new date. Spokesperson Paul Barger said snowmakers are ready to start as soon as temperatures drop. Barger noted that storms and colder temperatures are expected next week. The goal is to open a top-to-bottom run on the Alpenglow lift quickly once conditions allow.
