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Latest in Arapahoe Basin
Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season
Winter has officially started in North America, and it is one blue run long. On Wednesday 28 October, Arapahoe Basin fired up the Black Mountain Express at around 10:30 am after a surprise announcement just hours earlier, becoming the first major North American resort open for 2026/27. Cold nights, a dusting of natural snow and a lot of snowmaking made it happen in the resort’s 80th winter. More terrain is promised as the snow guns keep running.
Michael Fulton
Colorado Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: A-Basin and Keystone Race to Be First
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park are all chasing an October start, though none has a firm date yet. The first dated openers are Breckenridge and Copper on Friday 6 November, then Vail on 13 November, with most of the rest bunched around US Thanksgiving. Hesperus did not open at all last season. A super El Niño offers hope but no guarantee, and forecasters say the southern mountains have the better odds.
Michael Fulton
Resort Spotlight: Arapahoe Basin - Colorado's High-Altitude Season Stretcher
Arapahoe Basin runs when other resorts don't - opening in October and frequently skiing into June. But this high-altitude workhorse trades amenities for snowfall and challenging terrain that skews heavily expert.
Michael Fulton
Arapahoe Basin Closes Out 2025-26 Season After 204 Days on Snow
Arapahoe Basin has closed for the 2025-26 season after 204 days - wrapping up on May 17 following three extensions driven by late-season storms in April and May. It's the resort's earliest closing date in over a decade, but given how tough the season was across Colorado and the West, 204 days is worth acknowledging. The season opened October 26 and ran well beyond its original May 3 closing date.
Michael Fulton
Colorado Snow Forecast: Eldora Leading the Way With 20 Inches as Late-May Storm Hits
Most of Colorado's ski resorts have already closed for the season, but a late-May cold snap is about to dump serious snow on those still running. Eldora is the standout with 20 inches forecast, while Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin and Loveland are also in line for meaningful totals. A solid end-of-season bonus for anyone still on snow.
Michael Fulton
Arapahoe Basin Closes May 3 After 194-Day Season in Difficult Snow Year
A-Basin wraps up a 194-day season on 3 May, maintaining its position as Colorado's longest-running resort despite historically thin snowpack. The resort has announced $39 lift tickets for the final weekend along with live music and end-of-season events.
Michael Fulton
Arapahoe Basin Announces Potential Extended Ski Season
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado's last open ski resort for the 2024/25 season, has provided an update on their closing date and potential for extended operations.
Michael Fulton
Arapahoe Basin Updates Parking System for 2025-26 Season
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Colorado is modifying its parking reservation system for the upcoming 2025-26 season, aligning with changes to Ikon Pass access. The new system aims to manage traffic and maintain the resort's unique atmosphere.
Michael Fulton
Ikon Pass 2025/26: A Comprehensive Guide
Explore the options and benefits of the Ikon Pass for the 2025/26 ski season. This guide covers pass types, pricing, and new features for skiers and riders looking to access over 50 top ski resorts worldwide.
Michael Fulton
Five American Athletes Qualify for 2026 Freeride World Tour at Arapahoe Basin
The final Challenger Series event at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado saw five U.S. athletes secure their spots on the 2026 Freeride World Tour, marking a significant milestone in their careers.
Michael Fulton
Colorado Ski Resorts Report Strong Snowpack as Season Winds Down
Summit County ski resorts maintain impressive base depths despite the approaching end of the 2024-25 season. Copper Mountain leads local snowfall totals, while Winter Park tops the state.
Michael Fulton
Arapahoe Basin Announces Unlimited Ikon Pass Access for 2025/26 Season
Arapahoe Basin will offer unlimited access to Ikon Pass holders for the 2025/26 ski season while maintaining its successful parking reservation system, according to COO Alan Henceroth, who calls the upcoming Ikon Pass "the greatest season pass ever made."
Michael Fulton
Latest News
More from the SnowStash desk
Val Gardena to Alpe di Siusi Lift Link Back in Play After Court Ruling
The Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi lift link isn’t dead after all. A South Tyrol court has overturned Santa Cristina’s rejection of the new Monte Pana-Saltria link on procedural grounds, after the council skipped required public information sessions. Opponents want the missing sessions held and a fresh vote, and nothing has been approved. For now it’s still a bus between the two, but a plan first floated in 2017 is back in the conversation.
8 Nov 2026
Whistler Blackcomb Rockslide Zone Stays Closed Through 2026-27 Season
A section of Whistler Peak terrain will stay closed all 2026-27 season, Vail Resorts has confirmed, with rockslide mitigation work continuing into summer 2027. Peak Express is still expected to run this winter, but locals are already arguing about what’s actually off limits, whether the Whistler Bowl is gone, and why the news landed after pass sales wound down. Here’s where things stand.
7 Nov 2026
Loveland Ski Area Opens for 2026-27 and Marks 60 Years of Snowmaking
Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.
7 Nov 2026
KFC Is Coming to the Slopes at Cortina and Madonna di Campiglio
Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.
5 Nov 2026
Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.
4 Nov 2026
Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.
4 Nov 2026
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.
3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026