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.

As the sun begins to rise faster over the snow-capped peaks, casting warmer rays of light onto freshly groomed swaths of corduroy, Summit County ski areas are putting the final pieces together in order to open up 100% for their runs for the season.

Last weekend, Keystone officially announced the mountain had reached the fully open milestone, leaving Summit’s other ski areas to play catch up.

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With a significant snowstorm once again in the forecast for the weekend, ski areas are expected to make progress toward opening up the final terrain pockets spread out across the mountain. 

Keystone reaches 100% mark 

On Sunday, Jan. 28, Keystone Resort opened all 140 of its trails, giving skiers and riders access to everything from Schoolmarm, the Outback and the newly-unveiled, lift-accessed Bergman Bowl.

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The final bit of work at the resort will now consist of Keystone implementing the final features within the A51 terrain park. The work is set to be completed by the end of this weekend and will consist of features in lower I-70 and the minipipe on Main Street.  

With all of Keystone’s trails now open across 3,100-plus acres, guests really can’t go wrong with what trail to ski or ride over the weekend, but the tree-skiing terrain in the Outback or the new trails in Erickson Bowl are some of the freshest turns at the resort on a snow-filled day.

Breckenridge opens Peak 8’s Snow White and Lake Chutes

Over the last week, ski patrol teams at Breckenridge Ski Resort have managed to open two of Peak 8’s extreme terrain trails, Snow White and Lake Chutes. The new terrain allows guests to hike from the Imperial SuperChair and access steep terrain that is often filled with quality and powdery snow.

Additionally, on Thursday, Feb. 1, Breckenridge opened up portions of the Six Senses on Peak 6. 

With Breckenridge creeping closer to being completely open for the season, the ski resort will continue to focus on opening more of its high Alpine terrain in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Breckenridge ski patrol director Hunter Mortensen recommends that guests get out to enjoy the terrain that is currently open.

“We are going to do everything that we can to get all of our terrain open as soon as we can after we do our snow safety work throughout this storm,” Mortensen said. “The best skiing and riding that you are going to have is the stuff that we have controlled.”

Mortensen set a strong reminder that no trail or line is worth ducking a rope for as the ropes are there because the conditions are not safe to explore for a myriad of reasons.

“Every rope line and everything that we have up is up for a reason, and the snow on the other side is not better,” Mortensen said. “The best skiing or riding is going to be anything that is open. I would say look at which ways the winds are blowing when the storm comes in and draw an arrow from that direction. Whatever run you love to ski or ride that is on the other side of that arrow is going to be the best place to go.”

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Loveland begins spinning final lift

Loveland has made a significant amount of progress across the ski area in terms of terrain openings over the last few weeks.

 Heading into last weekend, the ski area had just begun running Lift 8 for the first time this season and this week, the ski area has begun spinning its final lift — Lift 9.

Officially making its 2023-24 winter season debut on Wednesday, Jan. 31, Lift 9 gives guests access to Primer Bowl, Castle Rock, Rookie Road, Patrol Bowl, Challenger and North Star Bowl.

Loveland now gives guests access to 80 out of its 94 trails for a total of 1,308 acres of skiing and riding.

With a promising stormfront in the forecast, Loveland expects to have more terrain announcements next week.

Arapahoe Basin continues to work towards opening extreme terrain 

With all nine of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area’s lifts now running for the season and Montezuma Bowl open, ski patrol teams at A-Basin have now turned its focus towards opening the ski area’s most extreme terrain on the mountain.

The ski area is hoping that the incoming storm brings its forecasted 17-plus inches to the slopes of A-Basin so that ski patrollers and mountain operation teams can continue to make progress in the Steep Gullies and on the remaining trails located in Montezuma Bowl.

This weekend is looking great,” communications manager Shayna Silverman said. “We’re expecting 17-plus inches between Saturday and Sunday and more the following week. After a few bluebird days, we’re ready for some good storm skiing.”

Eventually, A-Basin will turn its focus to the East Wall, but more snow is needed before that time occurs.

In terms of events, A-Basin will host another 6th Alley Supper Club on Friday, Feb. 2, with curry night being the theme of the menu. On Thursday, Feb. 8, A-Basin will serve as the hosts for the Friends of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s 50th anniversary dinner. Tickets are currently still available and can be purchased at ArapahoeBasin.com.

Copper Mountain awaits more snow

Copper Mountain Resort is patiently awaiting more snowfall in order to assess the opening of additional terrain across the mountain. 

Copper currently has the majority of its terrain offerings open with a few black and double black diamond trails that need additional snowfall before welcoming skiers and riders.

Starting Monday, Copper will be hosting the IFSA Freeride World Qualifier and Junior Freeride Series taking place in Copper Bowl. 

The big mountain competition will have athletes tackle some of Copper’s toughest terrain. The junior-level competition will take place from Monday, Feb. 5 through Thursday, Feb. 8. The adult World Qualifier will be on Saturday, Feb. 10. Spectators are encouraged to watch the athletes as they compete.