It might only be September now, but it won’t be long before the snow starts falling in North America’s top ski destinations. If you’re looking to hit the slopes this holiday season, first be sure that your park of choice is open. The advent of “ski season” is highly variant; some peaks open in late October while others hold off as long as December. We’ve compiled a list of the expected opening dates of some of North America’s favorite ski destinations to help guide your planning!
Colorado
- Keystone Resort, Keystone: October 31st
- Breckenridge Ski Resort, Breckenridge: November 7th
- Wolf Creek Ski Area, Pagosa Springs: November 8th
- Winter Park Resort, Winter Park: November 13th
- Vail Mountain Resort, Vail: November 21st
- Steamboat, Steamboat Springs: November 26th
- Beaver Creek Resort, Avon: November 26th
Utah
- Alta Ski Area, Alta: November 21st
- Park City Mountain Resort, Park City: November 22nd
- Canyons, Park City: November 28th
- Deer Valley, Park City: December 6th
California
- Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Mammoth Lakes: November 13th
- Heavenly Mountain, South Lake Tahoe: November 21st
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Kirkwood: November 22nd
- Northstar California, South Lake Tahoe: November 22nd
Oregon
- Mr. Bachelor, Bend: November 26th
- Timberline, Timberline Lodge: November 28th
Wyoming
- Grand Targhee, Alta: November 22nd
- Jackson Hole, Teton Village: November 27th
Vermont
- Killington Resort, Killington: November 5th
- Mount Snow, West Dover: November 15th
- Jay Peak, Jay: November 22nd
- Stratton Mountain, South Londonderry: November 23rd
- Sugarbush, Warren: November 23rd
- Smuggler’s Notch, Cambridge: November 28th
Montana
- Red Lodge Mountain, Red Lodge: November 23rd
- Big Sky Resort, Big Sky: November 27th
- Whitefish Mountain, Whitefish: December 7th
Washington
- Mt. Baker, Bellingham: November 8th
- Stevens Pass, Skykomish: November 22nd
- 49 Degrees North, Chewelah: November 23rd
- Crystal Mountain, Enumclaw: November 24th
British Columbia
- Big White, Kelowna: November 27th
- Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler: November 28th
- Fernie Alpine, Fernie: November 29th
Keep in mind that while opening dates tend to be very accurate, unexpected weather conditions do run the potential of delaying opening. While uncommon, it is something that we recommend preparing for – be sure to have plenty of activity options lined up just in case Mother Nature is being a little bit uncooperative.
When looking for accommodations, also be sure to keep your options open! Many of the bigger ski resorts may offer lodging and accommodations, but often at a steep price! A timeshare rental can save you quite literally hundreds of dollars while still keeping you close to the the slopes with just-as-luxuriant furnishings.
Photo Credit: http://www.vail.com