The countdown is officially on. Winter Park Resort started making snow last week, joining a handful of Colorado ski areas racing to open for the 2026–27 season. Here's what that means for opening day and how to plan an early-season trip.
Colorado's race to open has begun
A cold snap in the middle of last week gave Colorado's high country its first real chance to make snow. Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Keystone and Loveland all had snowmaking underway by October 15, and Winter Park joined them later in the week.
Snowmaking doesn't run on temperature alone. Crews watch the wet-bulb temperature, which factors in humidity, and the guns generally only work when it's in the mid-20s or colder. That's why you'll often see snowmaking happen overnight and pause during warm afternoons. Warmer weather in the forecast could force resorts to take short breaks, so expect the guns to run in bursts whenever the cold nights line up.
More snow guns where it counts
Winter Park is adding more than $750,000 in new snow guns and snowmaking upgrades this season. The investment nearly doubles snowmaking capacity on Lower Hughes, the signature run facing the Village and the Gondola.
That builds on the nearly $38 million snowmaking overhaul the resort finished two years ago, which more than doubled how much water it can turn into snow. That system is the reason Winter Park opened on October 31 last season, tying its earliest opening ever, even in a rough snow year.
What it means for you: More snowmaking on the runs right above the base area means a better shot at an early opening and more terrain in the first few weeks.
When will Winter Park open?
The resort hasn't announced an opening date yet and says it will open as soon as conditions allow. Some early projections, including KUNC's list of anticipated opening dates, have pointed to October 30. Looking at the forecast, we think that's a long shot this year. A warmer stretch is likely to slow snowmaking, so the first few days of November look more realistic if the cold nights return.
Either way, the weather gets the final say. We'll update this post as soon as Winter Park announces an official date.
Opening day usually means a few base-area runs built on man-made snow. For the full history of Winter Park's opening dates, see our guide: When Does Winter Park Resort Open for the Season?
What's new this winter
- An extra hour on weekendsLifts open at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, starting in mid-December or when the Gondola opens for the season, whichever comes first.
- Rope Drop ClubWinter Park and Ikon pass holders who scan at least twice in November get perks like a Mary Jane preview day and dedicated lift lanes.
- Send'er NovemberThree weekends of early-season events in November to kick off the winter.
- Torchlight ParadeThe holiday Deck the Slopes celebration wraps up with the Torchlight Parade on December 24.
Planning an early-season trip
Early season is one of the best-kept secrets in the Fraser Valley: fewer crowds, lower rates and the excitement of first chair. Because opening day moves with the weather, book a flexible stay and keep an eye on the snow. Our live snow forecast and webcam is the easiest way to watch the base build.
Be here for first chair
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- Savage Mountain Collective: The guns are on (Oct 17, 2026)
- Denver Gazette: Snowmaking underway at four Colorado ski areas (Oct 15, 2026)
- Unofficial Networks: Snow guns fire up in Colorado (Oct 15, 2026)
- Winter Park Resort: What's new for the 2026–27 season (Sept 29, 2026)
- KUNC: When Colorado ski areas start opening (Oct 4, 2026)
