Breckenridge in Colorado has announced that, unless there’s an unexpected major deterioration in conditions at some point, their ski season will be extended by more than a month to the US Memorial Day holiday in late May, this year on the 27th.
The announcement isn’t just for this winter either, it’s a long-term decision for future seasons too, pending agreement with the US Forest Service which owns the land where the slopes are located.
Combined with Keystone’s recent capital announcement to enhance snowmaking, which owners Vail Resorts say will position it to be the resort to be, “the first to open in Colorado,” (and therefore probably in North America) the two Summit County resorts will offer one of the longest ski and snowboard seasons in the country.
Breckenridge was last open to May more than two decades ago in the mid-1990s.
Opening from October to late May would allow Vail Resorts to say that buyers of its main Epic Pass, which is a season pass that covers dozens of ski areas in North America as well as ski areas in Europe, Asia and the southern hemisphere, can ski for more than six months and possibly more than seven months each season.
Keystone will need to open about a month earlier than its usual early November, moving to the first half of October, in order to open ahead of resorts like Arapahoe Basin, Loveland and Wolf Creek.
“Spring is an incredible time to ski Breck’s High Alpine and we are thrilled to extend our season this year, and beyond, and offer that terrain as long as the snow lasts,” said John Buhler, vice president and chief operating officer at Breckenridge Ski Resort. “With Breck’s notably high elevation and annual snowfall we are well-positioned to provide our passholders and other guests great spring skiing and snowboarding well into May.”
During the extended portion of the season this spring the resort plans to offer skiing and riding on its Peak 7, with access to primarily advanced- and expert-level terrain on Peak 8 in Imperial, Horseshoe and North Bowls, accessed by the Independence SuperChair, Imperial Express SuperChair and the TBar Lift while conditions allow.
Since opening early on Nov. 7, the winter 2018-19 season at Breck has included numerous highlights including historic early terrain and lift openings and record early season snowfall. The resort originally announced a closing date of Sunday, April 21, but will now be open for 5 more weeks.
