The first substantial snowfall of the 2025-26 ski season arrived at Colorado’s highest elevations September 13, with Arapahoe Basin receiving accumulation at 10,780 feet, just as meteorologists confirmed a 70 percent chance that La Niña conditions will develop by December. Loveland is also reporting snowfall and more is expected above 10,000 feet tonight.
The timing couldn’t be better for Loveland Ski Area, which completed a major lift replacement project just days before the weekend storm blanketed both continental divide destinations in fresh powder. Freezing levels hovering around 11,000 feet created ideal conditions for snow accumulation across the high country’s north-facing terrain, with A-Basin’s legendary East Wall displaying substantial coverage across its expert-only chutes and bowls.
An uncertain climate pattern echoes last winter’s conditions, when La Niña was forecast to develop but never materialized, leaving Colorado with an ENSO-neutral winter that produced near-average snowfall across most of the state, though long-range forecasts suggest this season could favor northern Colorado mountains with more consistent storm activity. Colorado snowfall during weak La Niña winters often hinges on the strength and location of high-pressure ridges that tend to emerge during these patterns. OpenSnow meteorologist Sam Collentine noted that Colorado’s position between prevailing northern and southern storm tracks means “we’re in that middle ground where we can do well off either pattern.”
The annual race between these neighboring resorts has become legendary among Front Range skiers, with both destinations leveraging their extreme elevations and north-facing exposures to extend Colorado’s ski season on both ends. A-Basin typically operates 147 days per season, often skiing into June and occasionally through July 4th weekend during optimal snow years, while Loveland’s 1,800 skiable acres across 94 trails benefit from a 2,410-foot vertical drop and continental divide positioning that captures an average 422 inches of natural snowfall annually.
Loveland’s $4.5 million lift replacement project, with haul rope splicing completed September 10, demonstrates strategic infrastructure investments required to maintain early-season advantages. The new Leitner-Poma fixed-grip chair increases uphill capacity from 1,200 to 1,800 riders per hour, while expanding the loading platform to accommodate families and beginning skiers more effectively than the 42-year-old double chair it replaced. Comprehensive Zig Zag trail improvements designed to enhance beginner progression accompany the lift upgrade.
Both resorts have refined their operational strategies over decades of early-season competition. A-Basin’s independence ended this year when Alterra Mountain Company completed its $105 million acquisition in November 2024, following a Department of Justice antitrust review that echoed a similar 1997 investigation when Vail Resorts was forced to divest A-Basin after acquiring Summit County competitors. Under 27 years of Canadian ownership by Dream Unlimited Corp., A-Basin expanded to 1,428 acres and replaced lifts while generating $43.4 million in revenue during its best year in 2022. The resort joined the Ikon Pass partnership in 2019, providing passholders access to 50 destinations across North America, Japan, Australia, and Europe, including Copper Mountain, Winter Park, Steamboat Springs, and Aspen Snowmass within Colorado. Chief Operating Officer Alan Henceroth, who has worked at A-Basin for 36 years, will continue leading operations under a 10-year master development plan addressing parking, enhanced snowmaking, and facility improvements.
Loveland maintains its independent approach with season pass options beginning at $549 for adults, reflecting the resort’s commitment to accessible skiing without corporate ownership or multi-resort pass obligations. The pricing strategy has allowed Loveland to preserve its authentic, no-frills mountain culture while investing heavily in infrastructure improvements and snowmaking capabilities.
SnowBrains forecasters suggest northern Colorado ranks as “solid but streaky” for the upcoming season, with northern Utah and northern Colorado positioned to benefit as winter matures. However, the southern tier from the Southern Sierra to Arizona and New Mexico, and the Southern Rockies carries a real underperformance risk.
Base elevations exceeding 10,800 feet at both destinations provide natural advantages for early-season snowmaking, which requires wet-bulb temperatures below 28°F that combine air temperature with humidity levels. These factors typically align consistently by mid-October, allowing for snow production across priority terrain including A-Basin’s High Noon and Pali Chair pods and Loveland’s Lift 1 and Lift 4 corridors.
Economic implications extend well beyond bragging rights, with early-opening resorts serving as crucial drivers for Summit County tourism. Colorado’s ski industry generates $5.1 billion annually and supports 46,000 jobs across mountain communities, with Summit County processing 8.5 million skier visits each season. A-Basin’s early openings contribute approximately $45 million in annual local economic impact.
Meteorologists are watching where “stubborn” high pressure ridges set up over the west coast. While long-range weather forecasts remain notoriously unreliable, the combination of early snowfall and favorable La Niña development suggests both resorts could be positioning for competitive opening dates in late October or early November. Limited terrain during initial operations concentrates usage on available runs, making midweek visits particularly attractive.
Summer operations at both facilities continue through September 21, with A-Basin’s hiking, mountain biking, and disc golf providing revenue diversification while snowmaking crews complete equipment staging and system testing. Sustained snowmaking operations require comprehensive water management systems, electrical infrastructure capable of powering dozens of high-pressure snow guns simultaneously, and grooming equipment positioned strategically across priority terrain. Both resorts have completed these preparations, with crews monitoring weather forecasts for the consistent cold snaps that enable aggressive snow production and the opening day competition that defines Colorado’s ski season launch.