Incoming storm sparks excitement for further terrain openings in Summit County
Breckenridge welcomes guests onto the Rocky Mountain SuperChair, Keystone stacks snow whales and A-Basin adds beginner terrain
Editor’s Note: Each Thursday throughout the winter, the Summit Daily News will provide a terrain update that will inform skiers and riders on what trails are open at what mountains before they head out to the slopes.
Editor’s Note: The article has been updated to announce that uphill access is now available at Keystone.
Anyone who has been skiing or snowboarding over the last week knows that the ski mountains in Summit County are in need of significant snowfall. Although cold conditions have aided ski areas in blowing human-made snow, skiers and riders are thirsty for the first real powder day of the season and more natural snowfall.
A multipart winter storm is expected to make its way across much of Colorado and Summit County from Thursday, Nov. 30, to Monday. Dec. 4, with the storm having the capability of dumping enough snow to ensure powder day conditions on several days throughout the weekend.
With cold temperatures in the forecast — mixed with natural snowfall — most Summit County ski areas will expand their terrain offerings, giving guests more acreage to explore ahead of the holidays.
Keystone Resort continues to pile up snow whales
Like all the ski resorts at this time of year, Keystone Resort has been blowing snow with its snow guns whenever it can and has started stacking several large snow whales across the slopes.
Keystone introduced Spring Dipper to boost its trail total to 11 last week. Keystone added two trails this wekk, bringing its total open trails to 13 as of Thursday morning. The 13 trails join seven open lifts, putting Keystone’s open terrain percentage at 9%.
New trails include The Edge, which is Keystone’s first open black diamond trail of the season. Keystone plans to have the Haywood trail online over the weekend and patrol teams have begun boot packing Frenchman, Wild Irishman and Flying Dutchman trails in anticipation for the fresh flurries, according to Sarah McLear, a senior communications specialist at Keystone and Breckenridge.
“Looking ahead into the weekend, we are focusing our snowmaking efforts on getting to North Peak as soon as possible with a target to have our Mozart trail and Ruby Express open as early as the end of this weekend,” McLear said. “Santiago Express will follow shortly behind Ruby.”
As of Friday morning, Dec. 1, uphill access opened up at Keystone. The resort has two routes: River Run Trail to The Edge to Spring Dipper to Dercum Summit or Schoolmarm to Jaybird to Spring Dipper to Dercum Summit.
Keystone plans to start to turn its focus to Bergman Bowl and its new Bergman Express chair in the coming weeks.
Breckenridge Ski Resort starts spinning the Rocky Mountain SuperChair
Breckenridge Ski Resort continues to drop ropes to more terrain. The teams at Breckenridge opened up the Beaver Run SuperChair with two trails ahead of Thanksgiving and expect to unveil more terrain heading into this weekend.
On Thursday morning, Nov. 30, Breckenridge started spinning chairs on Peak 8’s Rocky Mountain SuperChair with the lift accessing the Duke’s Run and Northstar trails.
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The recent openings pushes Breckenridge’s to 15 out of 187 total trails being open, accessed by 21 out of the resort’s 35 lifts. Breckenridge is currently 8% open and plans to improve that number when it opens the Mercury SuperChair and the Sundown trail on Peak 9 Friday, Dec. 1.
Breckenridge is now making snow on Peak 7 ahead of the targeted opening date of Friday, Dec. 8, for the peak’s base area and Independence SuperChair. McLear says Breckenridge is also tentatively planning to open up Peak 7’s Freedom SuperChair on Dec. 8, but will have a better idea heading into next week.
Uphill access remains solely on Peak 8, but the resort anticipates opening uphill access on Peak 9 on Saturday, Dec. 2. The route will be Silverthorne to Lower American to Cashier.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area expands beginner terrain
With top-to-bottom skiing now made available by the Lenawee Express Lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, snowmaking and mountain operations teams have turned their focus to expanding the resort’s beginner terrain offerings.
Since last week, A-Basin has opened up the Molly Hogan lift and the Molly Hogan trail which gives beginner skiers and riders an area to learn and feel comfortable at the ski area.
The incoming storm and frigid temperatures has also given A-Basin confidence for additional openings, including for the Pika Place learning area and magic carpet, as well as the lower portion of the Sundance trail off of the Black Mountain Express.
The Pika Place learning area and magic carpet officially opened on Thursday morning, Nov. 30, with Lower Sundance expected to open this weekend or early next week.
A-Basin will be hosting Demo Days from Saturday, Dec. 2, to Sunday, Dec. 3, this weekend. The event will last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m and allow skiers and riders to check out new gear for free from Icelantic, Black Crows, Never Summer Bishop Telemark and Arc’teryx.
A valid I.D., pass or lift ticket is required to participate in the event.
Copper Mountain Resort
Copper Mountain Resort has plenty to be excited about this week. Not only did the resort introduce Aley, its new aspiring avalanche puppy, but the resort also plans to open up new terrain throughout the weekend.
Senior communications manager Loryn Roberson announced Thursday afternoon that Copper plans to open the Woodward Express lift and Vein Glory trail on Saturday, Dec. 2. Additionally, Copper will offer access to the Highpoint Bypass trail.
“The addition of the Woodward Express lift will provide guests access to West Village, which means Copper Mountain will be offering skiing and riding out of all three of its base areas,” Roberson said.
Copper is still operating primarily out of Center Village, with full services available there. JJ’s Rocky Mountain Tavern is available in East Village and there will be limited services out of the West Village. Copper is hopeful to open Carefree and the lower portion of the Leap Frog trail sometime this weekend and will continue to open new terrain as conditions allow.
Loveland Ski Area continues to make snow on Lift 6
Loveland Ski Area will not be dropping any ropes ahead of this weekend, but snowmaking teams continue to make snow on Lift 6 and hope the snowstorm helps in the ski area’s progress, according to marketing director at Loveland Ski Area John Sellers.
Loveland will be opening Lift 3 at Loveland Valley on Monday, Dec. 4, which will give access to Switchbacks. As of Thursday, Loveland had 11 trails open, accessed by four lifts.
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