First Snowfall Ushers in New Season at Dusts Peak

In recent days, temperatures have plummeted in the Front Range, and the first snows have begun to cover the highest peaks. In Winter Park, Parry Peak has received its first white kiss of the year, and although it doesn't officially belong to the resort, its snow-capped silhouette is a recognizable postcard for every ski enthusiast.

From the summit of Panorama, Parry Peak and Berthoud Pass stand as guardians of winter. An image Winter Park Resort readily shared on social media with a digital wink, the eyes emoji saying it all without words.

Resorts Awaken

Meanwhile, at Arapahoe Basin, the roar of snow cannons signaled the start of preparations to open as soon as possible. Snow groomers sprang into action, making it clear that no time is wasted here. A-Basin aims to be one of the first to open again, offering skiers one of the longest seasons on the continent.

Keystone targets mid-October, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain set their sights on November 7th, while Winter Park, Arapahoe, and Wolf Creek maintain their traditional motto: "as soon as possible," depending, of course, on Ullr's decree.

A Current Bearing Promises

According to forecasts by renowned Colorado meteorologist Chris Tomer, all indications point to the 2025-26 season being generous for the state's northern resorts. This is due to a polar jet stream that could push moisture into key areas like Steamboat, Snowmass, and, yes, Winter Park.

Tomer warns it's not an exact science, but the signs point to a winter of above-average precipitation, especially in the domains that benefit from this northern atmospheric circulation.

Preparations with History

For many, seeing the first snow fall on Parry Peak is more than a meteorological indicator. As one who grew up skiing in Winter Park writes, that image brings with it an avalanche of memories, family stories, and traditions repeated generation after generation.

This year, the journey will include a new star on the slopes: a five-year-old ready to strap on skis for the first time. The youngest, perhaps, but also the most anticipated. Because in the end, that's what skiing is: sharing the mountain with loved ones, reliving your first descents through theirs, and feeling, again and again, that happy thrill of the season's start.