SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. -- If the recent snowstorm has you thinking about hitting the slopes, you probably won't be alone. Ski areas are expecting big crowds for the weekend after Thanksgiving. Our staff at Denver7 rounded up a list of what's open and what you can expect if you're heading up to the mountains this holiday weekend.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Opening day Nov. 27
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: 53 acres of beginner terrain is now available for skiing and riding.
What’s new: The EpicMix app and the four-person Teocalli Lift, which will open Friday at 10 a.m.
Beaver Creek Resort
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: For the first time this season, top-to-bottom skiing will be available. Visitors will have access to 295 skiable acres via the Red Buffalo Express Lift, Cinch Express Lift and Rose Bowl Express Lift.
Breckenridge Ski Resort
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: More than 500 acres of terrain across Peaks 8 and 9 are available now. The E-chair will open Thursday, providing additional access to Peak 9. By Friday, Fort Mary B trail will open, providing access to the base of Peak 7
Vail Mountain
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: Revely Vail, Vail’s newest Thanksgiving celebration, runs now through Nov. 30. This event also includes Kris Kringle Market, Explosion of Lights, ice skating exhibitions, Vail Tree Lighting and the first 10th Mountain Legacy Parade of the season. A total of 483 acres are now available for guests via the Northwoods Express, Sourdough Express and Wildwood Express.
Keystone Resort
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: More than 600 acres of skiable terrain is accessible, across three peaks. On Wednesday, Porcupine and Bighorn trails opened via The Outback lift, providing two intermediate trails. Night skiing also begins Wednesday evening. Guests are invited to the 7th annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration on Saturday from 4-7 p.m.
Monarch Mountain
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: Starting Wednesday, Monarch will be open seven days a week. Buy tickets online to save up to 40%.
Loveland Ski Area
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: Three all-natural-snow runs opened Wednesday, including Upper Richard’s Run, Waterfall and Nix Nox. Ptarmigan Lift is not yet open.
Winter Park Resort
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: On Wednesday, White Rabbit Upper & Lower, Jabberwocky Upper & Lower, Cheshire Cat, Upper Cranmer, Hobo Alley, High Lonesome Trail, Lonesome Whistle, Switchyard and Whistlestop open for the season. Mary Jane opens on Friday, along with Lower Arrowhead Loop, The Corridor, Shoo Fly and Sober Englishman.
Arapahoe Basin Resort
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: Four of the nine lifts and 11 runs — mostly greens and some blues — are open.
Aspen Mountain
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: On Thursday, F.I.S. and Gent’s Ridge chairs will start running. The latter will bring skiers and riders to expert terrain on Walsh’s, Kristi’s, FIS trail and more. Copper Bowl will also open on Thanksgiving. By Thursday, much of Aspen Mountain’s terrain will be open, with about 454 acres open to skiers.
Aspen Highlands
Opens Dec. 7
Aspen Snowmass
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: On Thursday, the Big Burn Lift will open, providing access to Sneaky’s, Mick’s Gully, Dallas Freeway, Wineskin and Whispering Jesse trails. In addition, the Elk Camp chair will open. Sam’s Restaurant, located at the top of Sam’s Knob is expected to open on Thanksgiving as well. In total, 20 trails will be open — about 489 acres — to guests on Thanksgiving Day.
Aspen Buttermilk
Opening day Dec. 7
Powderhorn Mountain Resort
Opening day Dec. 13
Granby Ranch Ski Area
Opening day Dec. 13
Purgatory Resort
Opening today
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: Three lifts and eight trails opened at 9 a.m. Wednesday. On Thursday, Purgy’s will serve a Thanksgiving dinner for the whole family at noon, 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dinner includes turkey, ham, prime rib, salmon and all the traditional sides and salads. Reservations are required. Dinner prices are $65 for adults and $22 for children 4-12 years old. You can also order the dinner to your room or condo.
Copper Mountain
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: In addition to lifts and trails already open, Upper Carefree and Lower Leap Frog trails open Wednesday for more beginner options off the American Flyer lift.
What’s new: Lift access to expert high alpine terrain on Tucker Mountain opens this season. Copper Mountain also expects to debut the Woodward Peace Park, an ever-evolving terrain park, soon.
Ski Cooper
Opening Nov. 30
Steamboat Resort
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: The Oops trail opened Wednesday, marking 12 open trails for skiers and riders. The gondola remains closed due to a mechanical issue.
Wolf Creek Ski Resort
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: Wolf Creek Lodge will serve a festive lunch with Cornish game hen, traditional sides and desserts on Thanksgiving Day. Multiple lifts — including Treasure Stoke, Alberta, Bonanza, Elma, Charity Jane, Nova, Lynx and the Magic Carpet — are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and lift tickets will be priced at regular rates starting Wednesday.
Eldora
Open
What to expect Thanksgiving weekend: Plan ahead, staff suggest carpooling to avoid any parking issues.
What’s new: The tune shop has been upgraded with a new machine that can tune and wax up to 30 pairs of skis in one hour. Eldora will also acquire a new Zaugg terrain-shaping machine, which will let staff build consistent and innovative park features.
