Arapahoe Basin Launches Colorado’s 2026-27 Ski Season
Colorado’s winter sports season officially kicks off on Wednesday morning as Arapahoe Basin opens its slopes for its 80th winter season. The resort marks the first Ikon Pass destination to welcome skiers and riders for the 2026-27 season.
Arapahoe Basin is First Resort to Open in USAThe Colorado resort fires up two lifts as 11am local time today. It beats Loveland, Keystone and others in the race to open first.https://t.co/k7aGdjw5dE pic.twitter.com/OdCTZWiVlh
Visitors hitting the mountain on opening day will access the High Noon blue run via the Black Mountain Express lift. Resort officials note that snowmaking operations will continue across the front side of the mountain to open additional terrain as quickly as conditions allow.
Celebrating eight decades of operation, Arapahoe Basin is granting unlimited access this winter to both Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass holders.
“We’re kicking off the Ikon Pass 26/27 season on a high note with our 80th anniversary. As we celebrate this milestone, offering unlimited access to A-Basin to both Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass holders this winter, skiers and riders have plenty of days ahead to see why we’ve been the Legend for 80 years,” Arapahoe Basin President and CEO Alan Henceroth said in a statement.
Opening day at A-Basin features live music throughout the base area all day, along with lift line giveaways. At the mid-mountain area, the Black Mountain Lodge opens in the afternoon, while the 6th Alley Bar & Grill opened its doors at 9 a.m.
Colorado Ski Resort Opening Timeline
While Arapahoe Basin leads the state’s winter opening schedule, other resorts across Colorado have slated their target opening dates for the upcoming weeks. Weather and snow conditions remain the ultimate factor in determining whether these dates shift.
| Resort | Target Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Keystone | As soon as possible in late October |
| Winter Park Resort | As soon as possible November |
| Loveland Ski Area | No date set, but Nov. 5 on average over the past five years |
| Breckenridge | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Copper Mountain | Nov. 6, 2026 |
| Vail Mountain | Nov. 13, 2026 |
| Powderhorn | Nov. 20, 2026 |
| Purgatory Resort | Nov. 20, 2026 |
| Steamboat | Nov. 21, 2026 |
| Beaver Creek | Nov. 25, 2026 |
| Crested Butte | Nov. 25, 2026 |
| Granby Ranch | Nov. 25, 2026 |
| Aspen Mountain | Nov. 26, 2026 |
| Snowmass | Nov. 26, 2026 |
| Telluride | Nov. 26, 2026 |
| Monarch Mountain | Early-to-mid December |
| Ski Cooper | Dec. 9, 2026 |
| Sunlight Mountain Resort | Dec. 11, 2026 |
| Aspen Highlands | Dec. 12, 2026 |
| Buttermilk | Dec. 12, 2026 |
| Silverton Mountain | Dec. 31, 2026 |
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