Arapahoe Basin Opens With 20 Guns After 22 Hours' Notice
The resort beat Keystone and Loveland to the first chairlift spin of the season, relying on a small, dedicated snowmaking crew.
By Mateo Thompson ·
Arapahoe Basin became the first Colorado ski resort to open for the 2026 season on Wednesday morning. The first chairlift began turning at approximately 10:30 a.m., beating its two nearby competitors by a few minutes. The resort’s chief operating officer, Alan Henceroth, confirmed the opening less than 24 hours prior to the event.
The decision to open was based on a careful assessment of snow volume. Henceroth stated that staff members, including snowmakers and lift crews, monitored conditions closely until they declared the mountain ready. The resort posted the news on Instagram at 7:30 a.m., informing guests that lifts would start at 11:00 a.m., though the early start was a spontaneous decision made as a line formed.
Owen Melson, a local resident of Silverthorne, responded to the late notice with a quick trip to Lowe’s and City Market. He purchased a 28-inch Blackstone griddle, 80 sausage patties, and various breakfast items to prepare free sandwiches for the first guests. By 10:15 a.m., he was distributing food at the base of the mountain as the first skiers arrived.
The race for the first open date is a long-standing competition among Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, and Loveland. For two decades starting in 1982, Keystone and Loveland dominated this title. Arapahoe Basin entered the competition in 2002 after receiving approval to install its own snowmaking equipment. Since then, Arapahoe Basin has secured the first-open distinction 14 times, outpacing the other two resorts combined.
The ability to make snow early in the season is the primary factor in this competition. Most Colorado resorts rely on artificial snow to open months before natural snowfall arrives. Keystone operates 627 snow guns, a massive system that includes 39 mobile fans and 375 automated tower guns. The resort uses wet-bulb temperature readings to determine when to fire the guns, aiming for a range of 27 to 28 degrees.
Arapahoe Basin takes a different approach with a smaller operation. It employs five staff members to manage just 20 snow guns. This lean model allows the resort to remain agile and efficient. The team uses snowmaking to establish a base layer, after which they rely on natural precipitation to build the season.
Loveland, the third participant in this rivalry, uses a different staffing model. It hires a team of contractors, many from New Zealand, to handle snowmaking. These workers began operations on Oct. 8 and are expected to stay through mid-December. They then move on to other mountains to continue making snow.
The timing of snowmaking is critical for all three resorts. They wait for specific weather conditions, particularly consistent cold temperatures, before activating their equipment. Keystone’s communications manager, Jacob Marquardt, noted that the resort avoids wasting resources by ensuring the snow guns are used only when conditions are optimal.
The season opened with high energy and a full parking lot at Arapahoe Basin. Phil Lindeman, a radio host from Krystal 93.9, set up a cast iron pan near the lift line to cook bacon for guests. The crowd was dense by noon, marking the official start of the ski season in North America.
