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Keystone Opens First in North America as A-Basin Starts Season the Next Morning

Early openings reflect high-elevation snowmaking with avalanche forecasters urging caution after a skier-triggered slide.

Skiers and snowboarders make their way down High Noon run on the first day of the ski season at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Oct. 23, 2022. The resort began making snow on October 9, but had to pause due to warm temperatures. Last year the resort opened on October 17th. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
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Overview

  • Keystone began operations Saturday at 3 p.m., offering more than two miles of groomed skiing on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon via the River Run Gondola and Montezuma Express.
  • Arapahoe Basin opened Sunday at 8:30 a.m., running Black Mountain Express to the High Noon trail with plans to add Lenawee Face and Dercum’s Gulch as conditions allow.
  • Both ski areas said snowmaking will continue to expand coverage, and Keystone noted uphill access remains closed during early-season operations.
  • A-Basin announced Ikon access policies: unlimited for Ikon Pass holders, with Ikon Base unlimited through Dec. 19 and five days starting Dec. 20.
  • The Colorado Avalanche Information Center reported the season’s first skier-triggered slide near Treasury Mountain with no injuries and cautioned about early-season instability on steep slopes.