Summit County ski areas begin snowmaking season
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area/Courtesy photo
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area and Copper Mountain Resort grew one step closer to the upcoming ski and ride season by beginning to blow snow across the mountain.
According to A-Basin communications manager Shayna Silverman, the ski area fired up its snow guns along High Noon late last night and did not turn them off until the early morning. While temperatures have continued to stay high in Summit County this fall, A-Basin’s snowmaking team is ready whenever the weather allows.
“Prime snowmaking conditions are around 26 degrees wet bulb, which takes humidity into account along with temperature,” Silverman said in an email. “Snowmaking is all about layering. This first layer is all about keeping the ground cool and wet for more snow to stick.”
A-Basin will open as soon as possible, but opening day is totally dependent on the climate. Last year, A-Basin opened on Oct. 29.
Copper Mountain Resort also got in on the snowmaking fun, firing up its own snow guns and letting fresh flakes fall. Copper will open to the public on Nov. 8.
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