The wait is over. Winter Park Resort opens for the 2026–27 season tomorrow, Friday, November 13, and the forecast says real winter is right behind it: about two and a half feet of snow over the next two weeks and nights near zero.
Updated November 12, 2026
Opening day is confirmed by Winter Park Resort. The snow and temperature numbers below are a forecast, and forecasts more than a few days out can change. We'll update this post as the storms get closer.
Opening day: what to know
Lifts start spinning at 9 a.m. on Friday. Through December 5, the resort runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. Starting in December, lifts open an hour early, at 8 a.m., on Saturdays and Sundays.
Plenty opens alongside the lifts. West Portal ski and snowboard rentals and the tune shop open at 8 a.m., ski and ride lessons are running, and you can grab coffee at Starbucks (7 a.m.) or breakfast at Moffat Market (8 a.m.). Mary Jane opens later in the season, once there's enough snow.
Expect early-season conditions: a limited set of runs, mostly on man-made snow, and plenty of company from other locals who have been waiting since April.
The snow is coming
After a dry start to the month, the forecast finally turns snowy. Here's what OpenSnow is showing for Winter Park as of today:
| When | Forecast snow | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| This weekend (Nov. 14–15) | ~3" | A light refresh for the first weekend |
| Next Wed–Sun (Nov. 18–22) | ~15" | The big one, with about 7" on Saturday the 21st |
| Thanksgiving week (Nov. 23–26) | ~11" | A steady inch or two a day |
That adds up to roughly 29 inches over 15 days. The storm around November 20–22 is the one to watch. If it lands as forecast, it could open a lot more terrain in time for Thanksgiving.
And the cold is coming with it
Early next week still feels like fall, with highs around 40°F on Monday and Tuesday. Then the bottom drops out. By Friday and Saturday (Nov. 20–21), highs only reach the upper teens to mid 20s, and overnight lows fall into the low teens. Wind chills drop to about 0°F, and on Thanksgiving night it could feel like −6°F.
That's good news for skiers. Cold air means the incoming snow should be light and dry (the forecast shows snow-to-water ratios of 16:1 to 18:1, which is fluffy powder). It also gives the snowmaking crews ideal conditions to keep building the base.
Planning a trip?
- Come for opening weekendThe first few days are about the novelty of it. Expect a short run list and a fun crowd.
- Aim for Nov. 21–22If the big storm hits as forecast, that weekend could be the best skiing of the early season.
- Thanksgiving weekMore snow, more terrain, and the busiest stretch of the early season. Book soon.
- Pack for real coldSingle-digit wind chills call for a neck gaiter, hand warmers and goggles, not sunglasses.
Be here for the first storm
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