Winter is just around the corner, and we’re stoked. Photo: Skyler Smith//Unsplash.
Editor’s Note: UPDATE! A massive storm is set to dump multiple feet on the Sierras and Western US. Opening dates for many resorts have been moved up, we have done our best to update below but with constantly changing reports follow the included links to double check before you take our word on when your favorite resort will be open.
Winter is just around the corner here in Northern California – the days are getting shorter, there’s a chill in the air, and I had my first case of numb hands while surfing yesterday. I’m also starting to break my ski gear out of the closet and check mountain reports, because as much as I love the torturous glory of winter surfing, winter also means snow. And I love snow.
That being said, the lifts aren’t turning just yet, at least here in California. The earliest announced date in California is Mt Rose, with a start date of November 6.
But there are other ski resorts in the U.S. getting the snow-boogie on as we speak. Loveland, in Colorado, has had their snow guns going since October 9, and it looks like Wolf Creek in Colorado is going to pick up the title for earliest start date for 2021-2022 as lifts are expected to start spinning this weekend after picking up 14 inches in a recent storm.
Other early starters include Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Loveland, all in the Front Range of Colorado, which just got a bit more than a dusting in the past week with Loveland reporting 9.5 inches of snow in a true winter storm this week. All three resorts have promised October start dates, but whether that’s next week or the week after, we’ll have to stay tuned.
In the meantime, here is a list of the soonest opening resorts in the U.S. Let us know if we missed one of your favorites:
Wolf Creek, Colo.: Open!
Arapahoe Basin, Colo.: Open!
Keystone, Colo.: Sometime in October
Loveland, Colo.: Sometime in October
Mammoth Mountain, Calif.: November 13 October 29
Mt. Rose, Nevada.: November 6
Boreal, Calif.: November 12
Vail, Colo.: November 12
Breckenridge, Colo.: November 12
Winter Park, Colo.: November 17
Crystal Mountain, Wash.: November 19
Northstar, Calif.: November 19
Heavenly Mountain, Calif.: November 19
Park City, Utah: November 19
Solitude, Utah: November 19
Big Bear Mountain Resort, Calif.: November 20
Alta, Utah: November 20
Killington, Verm.: November 20
Palisades Tahoe, Calif.: November 24
Snowbasin, Utah: November 24
Whistler Blackcomb, BC, Canada: November 24
Sun Valley, Idaho: November 25 (estimate)
Jackson Hole, Wyo.: November 25
Aspen, Colo.: November 25
Mt Bachelor, Ore.: November 26
Snowbird, Utah: December 1
Kirkwood, Calif.: December 3
Tamarack, Idaho: No official date set
