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 resorts near Summit County before they head out to the slopes. 

The new year is already off to a great start in terms of snowfall in Summit County.

After a lackluster start to the season, Summit County ski areas are finally starting to see fresh snow, allowing ski areas to open up more terrain as well as soften the hard-packed conditions. 

With more snow in the forecast over the coming days, ski areas are dropping ropes for skiers and riders seeking velvety, smooth turns across the mountain.

Pallavicini Lift set to open on Saturday at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area 

After seeing 9 inches of snow overnight on Monday, Jan. 5, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area was able to unveil fresh terrain for eager skiers and riders.

A-Basin opened up the Chisholm loop which is a green that spans from mid-mountain. The run will be pivotal in the ski area’s ski and ride school operations. 

Beyond the new trails, A-Basin unveiled on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 8, that the Pallavicini Lift will begin spinning on Saturday, Jan. 10. The lift will give skiers access to Griz Road, West Wall and Slalom Slope. There will also be limited openings on Challenger, Scudder and Radical. 

The lift is slated to open around noon on Saturday.

Copper Mountain Resort to begin spinning 3 different lifts

Skiers and riders can expect a fair amount of new terrain offerings at Copper Mountain Resort this upcoming weekend. 

Most notably, Copper is expected to open three different lifts spread out across the mountain. On Friday, Jan. 9, Copper will look to begin spinning the Sierra Lift. The lift will allow guests to access Timber Ridge and Lower Revenge. 

The following day on Saturday, Jan. 10, the Rendezvous Lift is expected to open. The chairlift will unlock Union Park trail. In addition to the Rendezvous lift, Copper will also plan to open the Lumberjack Lift in West Village on Saturday. 

Throughout the weekend, patrol will assess and monitor additional terrain opportunities off of the Sierra and Rendezvous Lift with directed skiing possible off of Sierra. 

In terms of park skiing and riding, Copper will open up Red’s Backyard on Friday, Jan. 9.

Breckenridge opens up Freeway terrain park and trails on Peak 8

Breckenridge opened the new year by opening one of its premier terrain parks — Freeway — last week. The terrain park offers many of the same features that pro snowboarders rode on during the first-ever on-snow Rockstar Energy Open. 

In addition to Freeway Park opening up for the season, Breckenridge was able to get Peak 7 open for the season by beginning to spin Independence. 

Ahead of this weekend, Breckenridge opened up Callies, High Anxiety and Little Johnny located on Peak 8’s front side. The resort’s snowmaking team is currently working to put a solid base down on Peak 10 and Peak 6. 

Uphill access is now open on approved routes on Peak 7, Peak 8 and Peak 9. 

Keystone gives guests access to The Outback

Late last week, Keystone gave guests access to The Outback. With trails like Elk Run, Porcupine, Badger, Timberwolf and The Grizz open, skiers and riders can explore a new terrain pocket at the resort. 

Keystone will give skiers and riders access to a good amount of new terrain for the second weekend of 2026. 

Keystone plans to open Jack Face, Ballhooter, 1st Whip, 2nd Whip, Orfint Boy and Ida Belle on the Dercum side of the mountain. Keystone will also open up Bullet, Ambush, Powder cap and Bullet Glades on North Peak. 

In The Outback, Keystone will give skiers and riders access to Oh Bob and The Escape.

Keystone will now look to open up the lower Bergman Bowl area. 

Ptarmigan Lift now running at Loveland Ski Area

Due to the fresh snow over the last few days, Loveland Ski Area has been able to open several new trails throughout the week. 

As of Thursday afternoon, Jan. 8, Loveland has opened up North Blackjack, Dealer’s Choice, Forest Meadow and Excelleration. Loveland was also able to open up the Ptarmigan Lift on Thursday, providing access to Fire Bowl, North Turtle Creek and Drifter. 

Ski patrol has been able to offer limited directed skiing on natural terrain such as Tiger’s, Cat’s Meow and Busy Gully under the Chet’s Dream lift. With more snow in the forecast, the limited directed skiing is expected to continue to take place across the mountain. 

Uphill access will officially open to the public on Monday, Jan. 12. An uphill pass is required to visit the resort outside of operating hours. The passes can be purchased online at SkiLoveland.com.

Loveland will now turn its focus to opening up Lift 4.