Colorado Ski Area Is First To Begin Snowmaking As Temps Drop Below Freezing

Matt Lorelli
·1 min read
2

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Colorado is the first ski area in North America to begin snowmaking efforts for the Winter '23-'24 season.

The popular ski area located near Denver, Colorado took to social media on the morning of September 23rd, 2023 to share the exciting news.

See the Tweet from Arapahoe Basin below:

The photo was shared on Al's Blog, the popular site ran by A-Basin's COO Al Henceroth.

He provides more details about the ski area's exciting first snowmaking efforts:

"About 3 AM this morning the snowmaking team fired up the system. The wet bulb temperature dropped down to 25 F. The primary objective of the session was testing. 

The temps were a bit colder than we expected. The system components worked well. Over the next week or two, we will do this a few more times. At some point, the temps will drop even further, stay colder longer and the snow will start to pile up. You know what happens after that."

Arapahoe Basin Mountain Goat Plaza webcam. Captured at 10:35AM ET on September 23rd, 2023.
Arapahoe Basin Mountain Goat Plaza webcam. Captured at 10:35AM ET on September 23rd, 2023.

Arapahoe Basin is consistently one of the first ski areas to open, and last ski areas to close in North America due to its high elevation.

A-Basin's base sits at at 10,520 feet above sea level, higher than many resort's peak elevations in states like Utah, California, and Montana.

Will they be the first ski area to open in North America?

That remains to be seen, but snowmaking at the end of September is certainly a promising sign.

More photos courtesy of Arapahoe Basin below:

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Stats/Info:

Vertical: 2,530 ft.

Skiable Terrain: 1,428 ac.

Average Snowfall: 350 in.

Lifts: 9

Trails: 147

Snowmaking: YES

Night Skiing: NO

Mega-Pass: IKON

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