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Summit County ski areas grow closer to being 100% open ahead of MLK Jr. Day weekend

JP Douvalakis/Breckenridge Ski Resort
A skier flies off a natural jump while skiing at Breckenridge Ski Resort last spring. Breckenridge is inching closer to being 100% open and is waiting to drop ropes to the ski resort's more extreme hike-to terrain.
JP Douvalakis/Breckenridge Ski Resort

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 Summit County mountains before they head out to the slopes. 

Although it may feel like the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season just ended, the first holiday weekend of 2025 is already here. 

As cars begin flocking to the High Country to enjoy a weekend full of skiing and snowboarding, ski areas are continuing to steadily drop ropes to new terrain across the mountain. 



Breckenridge unlocks Whale’s Tail and other high-Alpine terrain

Like many ski areas in Summit County, the number of trails at Breckenridge yet to open for the season are beginning to dwindle. 

Although there are fewer updates, the mountain is nearing the 100% open mark, giving skiers and riders full access to the mountain.



This past weekend, Breckenridge successfully opened Whale’s Tail, Peak 7 Bowl and Art’s Bowl. The rope drops provide guests access to some of Breckenridge’s signature high-Alpine terrain off the Imperial SuperChair.

With 2,550 acres currently open, Breckenridge is now waiting to open the rest of its hike-to extreme terrain which includes trails like Six Senses, Lake Chutes and Snow White. 

According to senior communications manager Sara Lococo, Breckenridge will likely need another storm before it will be able to get those final pieces of terrain open. 

One trail left to open at Keystone

Similar to Breckenridge, Keystone Resort is currently 99% open with more than 3,100 acres of skiing and riding.

Keystone took a huge step in reaching the 99% mark last week with the full opening of the Windows along with trails like Starfire, Go Devil and Richter.

As of Thursday, Jan. 16, Keystone just has one trail left to open — Last Hoot on Dercum Mountain.

With this weekend forecasted to bring cold temperatures across the state, the teams at Keystone and Breckenridge want to remind people to prepare and plan ahead for the frigid temperatures.

“We recommend dressing in layers — a good base layer and material that helps wick away moisture, an insulating middle layer to help retain heat and protect from the cold and an outer layer to shield from wind and keep dry,” Lococo said. “In addition, stay hydrated. Hydration is important for maintaining a stable body temperature, even in cold weather. And it’s also helpful to cover exposed skin and take frequent breaks to warm up.”

The resorts are used to operating in winter weather and cold temperatures, so operations are not expected to be affected by the forecast temperatures and weather. However, there is a possibility that Keystone and Breckenridge close more remote terrain areas or cancel night skiing operations at Keystone in order to prioritize safety.

Loveland opens Lift 9 

On Friday, Jan. 17, Loveland Ski Area will begin spinning Lift 9. 

Skiers and riders will have access from Gate 2 North to Gate 2 South. The terrain opening will give guests skiers access to some of the ski area’s most pristine high-Alpine terrain.

With Lift 9 now open, Loveland will now work to get its Ridge Cat operations open for the season.

JP Douvalakis/Breckenridge Ski Resort
A skier explores a gladed run at Breckenridge Ski Resort last spring.
JP Douvalakis/Breckenridge Ski Resort

Terrain continues to open in Arapahoe Basin’s Montezuma Bowl

Similar to last week, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area continues to open up terrain in Montezuma Bowl.

Ski patrol teams at A-Basin also continue to work in the Steep Gullies. Although A-Basin is growing closer to opening the popular terrain area, the ski area still needs to see a little bit more snow.

Copper Mountain continues to ski great after reaching 100% mark

With Copper Mountain Resort fully open for the season, the resort does not have any new terrain updates, but it does have several events in the upcoming weeks.

Next week specifically, Copper will help support National Safety Month through its annual Safetyfest presented by Nokian Tyres. From Jan. 25-26, Copper will celebrate safe skiing and riding with free avalanche dog demos, avalanche airbag demos, a Flight for Life landing, free hot chocolate at Timberline patrol, toboggan races, giveaways and more. 

The resort will have tents and activations mostly stationed in Center Village with additional activations happening on the mountain. To learn more about Safetyfest, visit CopperColorado.com.

Additionally on Jan. 24, the Mammut Uphill Race Series kicks off with the first challenge of the season. Seasoned skimo athletes and beginner uphillers are all invited to join. 

The race begins at 6:30 a.m. and will climb Copper’s uphill route 1 from Center Village to the top of Super Bee/Patrol Headquarters. There are four different challenges in the race series, ending with the Copper Cup on April 12.

Uphillers can register to participate today at CopperColorado.com


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