US Resorts Fire Up Snowmaking As Temperatures Drop
US Resorts Fire Up Snowmaking As Temperatures Drop
Published : 20-Oct-2024 06:52
US ski areas have been firing up their snowmaking systems as temperatures finally drop across large parts of the country following an unseasonably warm October.
High altitude ski areas in Colorado including Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Loveland have also posted images of snowmaking underway and there's also been up to 10" of natural snowfall reported, with more forecast for tomorrow, Monday. Telluride is pictured below on Saturday. Some ski tourers have already made some turns at resorts like Silverton.
It's not just Colorado though, the snowfall has been reported across much of Western US following similar falls in the Northeast earlier this week. Ski centres in California, Utah and even Arizona and New mexico have also reported fresh snowfall and snowmaking systems fired up.
It's just over three weeks until the first scheduled US ski area opening and moist of the country's big name resorts aim to open during November ahead of the thanksgiving holiday long weekend at the end of next month so the next few weeks are crucial.
There's also a PR battle to be able to claim to be the first to open, often won by high altitude resorts in Colorado, but sometimes by smaller centres in other regions which can open faster with fewer staff. Resorts in the Midwest have managed it twice in the past 12 winters and snowmnaking systems have been turned on there too.
After Monday's snowfall it's looking warmer and sunnier next week in the Rockies, but remaining below freezing on high slopes.
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