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Colorado is open. Ski season officially kicked off today at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Summit County. It marked the third year in a row that A-Basin won the race to open in Colorado, and the third year in a row that this particular editor was in attendance. Mother Nature has been generous to the Centennial State this October, as several snow storms deposited dreamy blankets of white across the high country in the beginning of the month. The early season snowfall coupled with a strong effort from A-Basin’s snowmaking team meant that Colorado’s skiing contingent could finally dust off the boards, boots, jackets and goggles and get back to what matters most.

“This is our third season of opening first and I’m stoked about it,” said Adrienne Saia Isaac, Marketing and Communications Manager. “There are so many people here ready to get on the hill.”

Isaac wasn’t lying, as an army of Colorado skiers and boarders played hooky from work, school, their significant others, etc., braving the opening day lines to get in the season’s first turns. As expected, local snowboarder Nate Dogggg and his posse grabbed first chair for the 19th season in a row. Once on the hill, skiers enjoyed laps on the High Noon trail under blue skies and sun, and the A-Basin park crew did a stand up job putting together a few features for the jib-enthusiasts to attack.

Last year, A-Basin enjoyed 241 days of operation, and with day one in the books, the Basin is looking to have just as long of a season this year.

“Once we open, we aim to stay open seven days a week,” said Isaac. “They actually started blowing snow last night on Ramrod, the second trail that will open, and we’re going to keep things going. We’ll be open 9-4 on weekdays, 8:30-4 on weekends, the Sixth Alley Bar opens at 8 all weekend, so come on up and get a Bacon Bloody after you’re done riding.”

Although warm weather still abounds across much of the nation and the heart of ski season is still a ways down the road, you’d think it was the dead of winter judging by the smiles, cheers, high fives and stoke from those in attendance. The bottom line: after months spent in the sweltering heat of summer, dreaming about strapping skis to our feet and flying down the hill, ski season is here. Get ready, here’s to another fantastic winter.