Fresh snow leads to new terrain openings ahead of Thanksgiving weekend
Arapahoe Basin starts spinning Lenawee Express, Keystone and Loveland expand terrain offerings
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.
A few inches of natural snow paired with consistently cold temperatures can make a big difference when it comes to opening up new terrain at ski areas. Last week, Breckenridge Ski Resort was one of the only Summit County ski areas to drop ropes for fresh terrain, but with the county seeing snow totals of 3 to 10 inches over the weekend, almost every ski area is unveiling new terrain just in time for the long Thanksgiving weekend holiday.
Arapahoe Basin starts spinning Lenawee Express Lift
After weeks of hard work from Arapahoe Basin Ski Area’s snowmaking teams, the ski area finally piled up enough snow to start spinning its Lenawee Express Lift for the first time this season on Saturday, Nov. 18. The addition of Lenawee Express now offers top-to-bottom skiing and riding for A-Basin’s guests.
Prior to Lenawee opening, A-Basin offered a single run (Lower Mountain Blues) off of Black Mountain Express. With the addition of Upper Lenawee Zone, A-Basin now offers a total of two runs serviced by two lifts.
The new terrain opening also allowed A-Basin to begin offering uphill access to the summit, though uphill access is only open before and after operating hours. The snowmaking team will now begin work toward opening up the Molly Hogan Lift and Magic Carpet so beginners and kids can learn on easier terrain.
Keystone expands early-season terrain offerings
For the last two weeks, Keystone Resort has led the way in terms of early-season terrain, and the same remains true for the third week of Summit Daily News’ terrain updates.
After opening the Mountain House base area, Keystone added two more runs to boost its total to 11 out of 143 trails open. Keystone also added another lift to have seven out of 21 running.
The most recent trail offering includes Spring Dipper, which opened up on Wednesday morning, Nov. 22. The rope drop will expand the resort’s current terrain footprint just in time for the holiday crowds. Keystone now has close to 8% of its total terrain open.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Keystone will offer night skiing for the first time this season until 7 p.m.
Although the Bergman Express still has a while before it hauls skiers and riders up to Bergman Bowl, the brand-new lift recently passed its load test, meaning that Bergman Bowl can officially open as soon as weather and conditions comply.
Breckenridge Resort opens up more terrain on Peak 9
Breckenridge Ski Resort is following closely behind Keystone. As of Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 22, Breckenridge had 19 of its 35 lifts open, 10 of which are learning carpets.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Breckenridge announced that it will open Beaver Run SuperChair and the Cashier and Bonanza trails on Peak 9 for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. The trails will offer more beginner and intermediate terrain to turn-hungry skiers and riders.
On Tuesday afternoon, Breckenridge also opened uphill access to guests on Peak 8 via Springmeier trail up to Vista Haus. Uphill access is only available from 5 p.m. to 8:30 a.m., and guests are encouraged to call the uphill access hotline at 970-547-5627 for route updates.
Copper Mountain looks to open up more terrain while hosting international athletes
Copper Mountain Resort is currently operating with the same terrain offerings as it did on its opening day on Monday, Nov. 13, but it is planning to open up more terrain on Friday afternoon and Saturday.
According to senior communications manager Loryn Roberson, Copper will plan to open the American Flyer lift on Friday afternoon, which will give access to the Highpoint and Loverly trails. Gem Lift and the Super Bee lift are expected to open on Saturday.
While working to expand terrain, Copper is also serving as hosts of several international Alpine ski teams and the Stifel U.S. Alpine ski team. Athletes have been utilizing Copper for early-season training in order to prepare for upcoming skiing competitions.
Copper will soon welcome freeski and snowboard athletes for the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix and Visa Big Air competitions next month. The event will take place from Dec. 13-16 and will feature some of the world’s best halfpipe and big air snowboard and freeski athletes.
Loveland Ski Area opens up Lift 2 and Rainbow Magic Carpet
The fresh snowfall has helped Loveland Ski Area to open up two more lifts: Lift 2 and the Rainbow Magic Carpet. Lift 2 will allow access to Tango Road and the Rainbow Magic Carpet will serve Take Off.
Off of Chet’s Dream, Spillway will join the Catwalk, Mambo and Home Run trails. In a terrain update on Wednesday, Nov. 22, Loveland stated that Richard’s Run off of Chet’s Dream is coming along and the ski area hopes to have an announcement coming soon. Additionally, snowmaking continues on Twist and around the Rainbow Magic Carpet.
Loveland will continue to work around the clock to get terrain open.
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