It’s official... ski season is almost here, and resorts across the U.S. and Canada have started to drop their opening day announcements. As always, dates are subject to Mother Nature’s whims (or, as we like to say, the snow gods), but now is the perfect time to start booking trips and tagging your ski buddies.
Colorado Leads the Charge
Colorado is once again kicking things off early. Keystone is aiming for mid-October, and Winter Park is scheduled for October 28. Breckenridge (Nov 7) and Copper Mountain (Nov 8) aren’t far behind, with Vail (Nov 14) following soon after. By Thanksgiving weekend, you’ll see big names like Beaver Creek, Steamboat, and Aspen/Snowmass all spinning lifts.
Mountain West Highlights
California opens strong with Heavenly on November 12, Mammoth on November 14, and Northstar dropping in on November 21. Palisades Tahoe follows on November 22, with Kirkwood wrapping up the California launches on December 5.
Elsewhere in the West, Solitude in Utah is slated for November 14, with Park City opening the following week. Montana’s Big Sky plans to open November 26, while Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has its sights set on November 28.
Canada’s Big Names
Heading north? Whistler Blackcomb will start welcoming skiers November 21, while Sun Peaks and Silver Star come online later in the month. Revelstoke and Panorama will wait until December, giving powder hounds plenty of choices as the season builds.
Key Dates to Circle
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October: Keystone (mid-October), Winter Park (Oct 28)
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November: Breckenridge (Nov 7), Mammoth (Nov 14), Vail (Nov 14), Park City (Nov 21), Whistler Blackcomb (Nov 21), Sun Peaks (Nov 22), Jackson Hole (Nov 28)
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December: Kirkwood (Dec 5), Revelstoke (Dec 6), Deer Valley (Dec 7), Aspen Buttermilk (Dec 13), Panorama (Dec 13)
Time to Book the Trip
With so many options, there’s no bad choice, whether you want early-season turns in Colorado, Thanksgiving laps in California, or December powder in Canada. Grab your gear, book the trip, and don’t forget to tag your ski buddy.
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