Ski Season #8, It’s Gonna Be Great

by Shannon · Published October 31, 2013 , 5:48 pm · Updated December 21, 2022 , 9:07 am

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As ski season quickly approaches, it is a time for us to not only get excited about the upcoming season, but also reflect on past seasons’ accomplishments, friendships made, and memories created.

My first ski season was only 8 years ago, a late bloomer. At the age of 24, I picked up and moved from the Midwest. Like many others my age, I moved with the aspiration of running, hiking, paddling, and skiing my way around Colorado, while working full time in Denver. Despite never skiing before, I knew that skiing was a sport that I was destined to love and I was hopeful that I would also excel in it. I’m mean, how hard could it be?

That first season, I followed my new ski-savvy friends, folks that had grown up on skis, and purchased what was known then as the “5 Mountain Pass”, which offered un-limited access to Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, and 10 days to Vail and Beaver Creek. My first ski day was mid-October at Arapahoe Basin and my last was at closing day at Vail in April. My new friends taught me the basics and my mantra was always, “keep up”. In total, I skied just shy of 70 days: I headed up to the resorts every chance I could and truly fell in love with the sport, the mountains, the towns, and the culture. When I entered the season I was a beginner, by the end of the season I could make my way down most runs, although not always the prettiest to watch. My first season was a success; I fell in love with skiing.

In the seasons that have followed, I have continued to push my development as a skier. More importantly, I have made some many amazing friendships through the sport, and even went skiing with my now husband on our 4^th date. Living in Colorado, we often forget how lucky we are to have world class skiing and riding a few hours drive away. There are over 25 resorts in Colorado, with each resort offering something a little different from one another. Whether its’ early and late season parties at the beach at A Basin, or pristine powder in the back bowls of Vail, or the un-crowded slopes of Copper and Beaver Creek, there is something for everyone. This season, many resorts are offering new territory to ski and ride, including Peak 6 at Breckenridge or extended hours, such as Steamboats’ launch of night skiing.

I am beyond excited for the 2013-2014 for many reasons: redemption after skiing the fewest days in my ski history (30 last year), to continue to grow in my skiing, have fun, and provide reviews of the latest and greatest in the outdoor/snow sport industry. Here is a quick list of the opening dates for the Colorado resorts. I’ll be out at Keystone this weekend for their opening day and to start the road to ski fitness!

Arapahoe Basin- Open

Aspen Highlands- 12/14

Aspen Mountain- 11/28

Beaver Creek- 11/27

Breckenridge- 11/8

Buttermilk- 12/14

Copper Mountain- 11/1

Crested Butte- 11/27

Eldora- 11/22

Howelson Hill- 11/30

Keystone- 11/1

Loveland- Open