Colorado ski resorts prepare for snowmaking as temperatures drop

Colorado ski resorts are preparing for the 2025-26 season as dropping temperatures and high-elevation snowfall signal the potential start of snowmaking operations. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area has indicated that snowmaking could begin any day, with staff monitoring temperatures around the clock.

Resorts such as Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin, which sit at base elevations above 10,700 feet, are typically among the first to begin the process. Snowmaking teams are monitoring wet bulb temperatures, seeking conditions where they drop below 26-28 degrees Fahrenheit. Loveland Ski Area, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary of snowmaking, typically aims to start around October 1, provided there are sustained overnight temperatures rather than a single cold snap.

Keystone Ski Resort has also utilized significant investments in snowmaking technology, including state-of-the-art guns with built-in weather sensors, to facilitate early season openings.