13th November 2022
Skiing & Snowboarding has come early to four states in the USA and Alberta in Canada. North America has seen some good early season snow with cold temperatures to top things up with artificial snow. NEW
“Thanks to recent storms, cold temperatures and the hard work of mountain operations and snowmaking teams across North American destinations, Ikon Pass holders can enjoy early openings at 13 destinations throughout California, Colorado, Utah, Washington, Idaho, and Canada, offering skiers and riders bonus days on the slopes,” says a statement from the Ikon Pass.
Image c/o Ikon Pass
We have been reporting over recent weeks on PlanetSKI of snow falling and resorts opening in the USA.
Here the Ikon Pass outlines the state of play of its resorts open and those opening early.
COLORADO
WINTER PARK RESORT – OPEN
Winter Park Resort had its earliest opening ever on Halloween, Monday, October 31st.
Lifts are now spinning 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday and starting at 8:30am on weekends.
ARAPAHOE BASIN – OPEN
The longest ski and ride season in Colorado officially began on October 2rd3 at A-Basin.
The Legend is fully open for the season, operating seven days a week.
ELDORA – OPEN
Eldora opened on Friday November 11th, kicking off its 60th anniversary season a full week ahead of schedule.
One run is open, the Hornblower-to-International top-to-bottom blue run, served by the Alpenglow six-person chair, and a small terrain park is open in the base area.
ASPEN SNOWMASS – OPENS 19th November
Recent snowfall dumped over three feet of snow, allowing Aspen Mountain and Snowmass to open earlier than expected on November 19th. It was originally scheduled for Thanksgiving.
Image © Aspen Snowmass
CALIFORNIA
MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN – OPEN
After opening early on November 5th, Mammoth has received up to 70” of fresh powder over the past 72 hours.
This has allowed top to bottom skiing and riding via 11 lifts and two gondolas.
With incredible early season conditions, Ikon Pass holders will have even more lifts and terrain available for the weekend.
BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN RESORT – OPEN
Opening day at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit was on Saturday, November 12th, with lifts spinning from 8:30am to 4pm.
Both mountains will be open to Ikon Pass holders and guests, with Snow Summit scheduled to be open daily, and Bear Mountain open Friday-Sunday until further notice.
Get ready to find park features at Bear Mountain on Opening Weekend and early next week at Snow Summit.
PALISADES TAHOE – OPENS 18th November
Palisades Tahoe will kick off the winter season on November 18th, after receiving more than three feet of snow, including 39” in the past 72 hours.
Watch for the opening of the new Palisades Tahoe Base to Base Gondola in December, which will connect the two base areas of Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows.
Season’s in full swing for the Rockies as @eldoramtnresort @AspenSnowmass @SchweitzerID all announce #earlyopenings for winter 22/23 season. Learn more by visiting: https://t.co/BV6gW2LwkU pic.twitter.com/ef1bQpjg8x
— Ikon Pass (@IkonPass) November 11, 2022
UTAH
SOLITUDE MOUNTAIN RESORT – OPEN
Solitude Mountain Resort had its earliest opening since 2013 after receiving 79” of snow, allowing lifts to start spinning for Ikon Pass holders on November 10th and for all skiers & riders on November 11th.
Military & veterans also skied for free on Veterans Day, November 11th. Solitude has now received 92” though November 11th.
BRIGHTON – OPEN
Brighton open on November 11th with three lifts running and free skiing and riding to all active military and veterans.
The mountain has received 60″ of snow since October 22nd, including 31” in the past 72 hours.
SNOWBIRD – OPENS 18th November
The mountain received over 32” of snow, building a 67” base and bumping up Snowbird’s opening day by two weeks to November 18th.
WASHINGTON
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN – OPENS 18th November
Crystal Mountain will kick off its 60th anniversary season on November 18th and will be the first Pacific Northwest destination to open (after being the last to close last winter season).
Cold temperatures allowed the snowmaking teams to work their magic so Discovery Chair, Quicksilver, and Chinook Express can spin at 9am on Friday, 11/18 and at 8:30am on Saturday, 11/19 and Sunday, 11/20.
IDADO
SCHWEITZER – OPENS 19th November
With three feet of snow dumping on the mountains, Schweitzer is offering skiers and riders a bonus weekend by opening on November 19th and 20th.
The last time the mountain opened before its projected opening date was during the 2017/18 season.
CANADA
SKIBIG3 – OPEN
The 22/23 winter season is underway at Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt Norquay.
We have reported on the openings in Canada here on PlanetSKI:
Lifts started spinning at Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort on November 3rd and November 4th, respectively.
Mt. Norquay opened on November 10th, with excellent snow coverage thanks to intense early season snowfall over the past three weeks.
Sunshine Village. Image © Ski Big Three
Ikon Pass is on sale now at www.ikonpass.com.
For all opening dates, please check here or visit each destination’s website.
For more information on Ikon Pass, please visit www.ikonpass.com.
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This article was originally published by Planetski.eu. Read the original article here.
