Ski season starts this weekend: 1st US ski resort announces its opening

Every year, there is a race to see which ski resort will be the first in the US to turn its lifts on.

The first to get those chairs heading up the slopes will be Wolf Creek. Who can pull it off the fastest is determined by location, weather and snow making capabilities.

While the race is concluding a little later than it has in the past, we now have the winner for the first ski resort to open in the year 2023.

The A-Basin will open for the first time this season on October 23.

The early season is not a good time to ski for beginners, so you need to wait a bit longer. Only the Black Mountain Express lift and the High Noon run will be open on the opening day.

The season's first skiers and riders will be welcomed by the rental shop and three restaurants, but tickets must be purchased in advance.

Longer ski seasons are good news for people with ski season passes.

Unless you purchase a mountain specific pass from that mountain, Arapahoe Basin isn't currently on any of the unlimited-use ski passes. The Mountain Collective Pass includes two days at each mountain.

The School Marm run at the Keystone Resort is usually the first run to open on that mountain and it is hard to make snow for it.

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5 things to know before skiing for the first time.

Here is a list of the major US ski pass programs.

If you have a child who is between third and sixth grade, you can get some discounted ski days. The pass can be used at any of the 20 Colorado ski areas, which include A-Basin, Steamboat, Aspen Snowmass, and Winter Park. It is possible to get up to 80 ski days for the kids for just $59.

Kids can ski for free or at a discounted rate. There are some resorts that offer free or discounted skiing for seniors.

There are credit cards that can be used for ski passes.

Some of our favorite ski-friendly hotels can be booked with points. There is a story about how you can take the ski train from the Denver airport to Winter Park.

We are hoping for a good ski season. Here is a points and miles guide to ski vacations that you can use to plan your trips.