Photo: Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts has announced the opening dates for several of its resorts in North America this winter, including one that’s likely meant to target some bragging rights. The announcement leaned into the developing El Niño and the expectation that it will bring a season filled with plenty of powder days and potential snowfall records in select parts of North America.
“While no one can predict exactly what Mother Nature will deliver, the possibility of blockbuster snowfall has us feeling optimistic about the winter ahead,” said Bill Rock, President of Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division, in a press release. “And while we’d love to see Super El Niño live up to the hype, we’re also taking an aggressive approach to snowmaking to ensure this ski season is one to remember.”
The most notable opening date on Vail’s short list Tuesday was no date at all. Keystone Resort is regularly one of the first resorts in North America to start spinning lifts, and it seems they’re gunning for that title once again this year. They’ve opened before Halloween three times since winter 2020-2021, and this year’s opening date is simply “As soon as possible.” The season kicked off at Keystone on October 25, 2025 last year, edging out Arapahoe Basin by a single afternoon, not even a full day. The resort started operations that afternoon, getting in a quick session for pass holders and a handful of laps before Arapahoe began its season the very next day.
“Winter begins at Keystone, where the resort hopes to claim, for the second year in a row, its title as the first to open in North America,” said resort officials.
Planned opening dates include:
As soon as possible in October – Keystone Resort (CO)
November 6 – Breckenridge (CO)
November 13 – Vail Mountain (CO)
November 20 – Whistler Blackcomb (BC), Park City Mountain (UT), Heavenly (CA) and Northstar (CA)
November 25 – Beaver Creek (CO) and Crested Butte (CO)
December 4 – Kirkwood (CA) and Stevens Pass (WA)
