Rocky Mountain Travel Colorado Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026–27: When Does Ski Season Start?
Updated November 12, 2026
Ski season is underway in Colorado! The first lifts are spinning, snowmaking crews are busy, and mountain towns are getting ready to welcome skiers and snowboarders for another winter in the Rockies.
Whether you’re planning an early-season getaway to Breckenridge, a Thanksgiving ski trip to Telluride, or a winter vacation in Aspen Snowmass, knowing when Colorado’s ski resorts open is the first step toward planning your trip.
We’ve gathered the latest announced opening dates for Colorado’s 2026–27 ski season, including resorts that are already welcoming skiers and those preparing for opening day.
Important: Opening dates depend on snowfall, snowmaking temperatures, and mountain conditions. Even after a resort opens, only a portion of its terrain may be available.
Colorado Ski Resort Opening Dates for 2026–27
Here’s when Colorado’s ski resorts have opened or expect to open for the 2026–27 season.
Opening Date
November 26, 2026
December 12, 2026
November 25, 2026
November 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
October 30, 2026
November 26, 2026
November 21, 2026
November 26, 2026
November 13, 2026
To Be Announced
Status
Scheduled
Scheduled
Scheduled
Open
Scheduled
Open
Scheduled
Projected
Targeted
Open
Awaiting Confirmation
Opening dates are subject to change based on snowfall and mountain conditions. Visit Colorado Ski Country USA and individual resort websites for the latest operating information.
Which Colorado Ski Resorts Are Already Open?
Colorado’s early-season ski areas compete to open as soon as temperatures and snow conditions allow.
Arapahoe Basin kicked off the 2026–27 season on October 28, followed by Keystone on October 30. Loveland opened November 7, Copper Mountain followed November 8, and Breckenridge welcomed skiers on November 11.
These early openings give skiers a chance to get back on the snow before the Thanksgiving holiday.
What to Expect From Early-Season Skiing
Opening day doesn’t mean the entire mountain is open. Resorts typically begin with limited trails and lifts, expanding terrain as natural snowfall and snowmaking allow.
Before planning an early-season ski trip, check:
- Open lifts, trails, and available terrain
- Current snow conditions and weather forecasts
- Lift ticket and season pass restrictions
- Ski and snowboard rental availability
- Resort parking and transportation options
If you’re visiting Colorado from a lower elevation, allow time to adjust to the altitude before heading out for a full day on the slopes.
Opening Dates at Colorado’s Most Popular Ski Destinations
Breckenridge and Keystone: Early-Season Favorites
Breckenridge and Keystone are among Colorado’s most popular destinations for early-season skiing.
Keystone opened October 30, while Breckenridge opened November 11 after postponing its originally scheduled opening.
Both resorts offer convenient access to Summit County lodging, equipment rentals, dining, and winter activities.
Planning a Summit County getaway? Explore Rocky Mountain Travel’s Breckenridge and Keystone destination guides to find places to stay, ski rentals, and activities beyond the slopes.
Copper Mountain: Skiing in Summit County
Copper Mountain opened November 8, welcoming skiers and snowboarders back to its naturally divided mountain terrain.
Located between Frisco and Vail, Copper Mountain is a popular choice for families, groups, and travelers looking for a mountain-focused winter vacation.
Explore Copper Mountain lodging, ski equipment rentals, and winter activities while planning your trip.
Vail and Beaver Creek: November Ski Season Openings
Vail Mountain is scheduled to open November 13, followed by Beaver Creek on November 25.
These neighboring resorts offer distinctly different experiences. Vail is known for its expansive terrain and lively mountain village, while Beaver Creek offers an upscale resort atmosphere and family-friendly amenities.
Early-season visitors should check which lifts and trails are operating before choosing where to ski.
Explore Rocky Mountain Travel’s Vail and Beaver Creek travel guides for lodging, rentals, transportation, and winter experiences.
Winter Park: Waiting for Opening Day
Winter Park has not announced a firm opening date for the 2026–27 season.
The resort plans to open as soon as conditions allow, so travelers should monitor official announcements before scheduling an early-season trip.
Winter Park and nearby Fraser offer a variety of lodging options, dining, and winter activities for visitors exploring Grand County.
Eldora: Skiing Near Boulder
Eldora Mountain Resort is targeting November 13, weather and conditions permitting.
Located west of Boulder, Eldora is a convenient option for Front Range skiers and travelers staying in Boulder, Nederland, or the surrounding foothills.
For visitors planning a Boulder-area vacation, Eldora offers an opportunity to combine mountain skiing with restaurants, shopping, and other activities along the Front Range.
Steamboat: November 21 Opening
Steamboat is targeting November 21 for its 2026–27 ski season.
Known for its Champagne Powder snow and Western heritage, Steamboat offers a Colorado ski vacation that extends well beyond the mountain.
Visitors can explore downtown Steamboat Springs, relax in natural hot springs, enjoy winter tours, and discover the area’s restaurants and shops.
Browse Rocky Mountain Travel’s Steamboat Springs destination guides for lodging, ski rentals, and activities.
Aspen Snowmass: Thanksgiving and December Openings
Aspen Snowmass operates four distinct ski mountains, and they don’t all open on the same day.
For the 2026–27 season:
- Aspen Mountain: November 26
- Snowmass: November 26
- Aspen Highlands: December 12
- Buttermilk: December 12
Thanksgiving visitors can plan around the anticipated openings of Aspen Mountain and Snowmass, while travelers arriving later in December may have additional mountains available.
Each mountain offers a different experience, from the family-friendly atmosphere at Snowmass to the challenging terrain of Aspen Highlands.
Explore Rocky Mountain Travel’s Aspen and Snowmass destination guides for lodging, equipment rentals, and winter activities.
Telluride: Thanksgiving Opening Day
Telluride Ski Resort is targeting November 26, 2026 — Thanksgiving Day for the start of its winter season.
Set among the dramatic peaks of the San Juan Mountains, Telluride combines spectacular scenery with a historic mountain town and a pedestrian-friendly Mountain Village.
Visitors planning a Thanksgiving or early-December getaway should remember that terrain availability depends on snow conditions.
Beyond skiing, Telluride offers scenic gondola rides when operating, dining, shopping, and winter adventures.
Explore Rocky Mountain Travel’s Telluride destination guide for places to stay, ski rentals, and things to do during your visit.
Is Thanksgiving a Good Time to Ski in Colorado?
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday ski season for many Colorado mountain towns.
Several major resorts plan to open by Thanksgiving, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Steamboat, Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, and Telluride.
However, Thanksgiving skiing can be unpredictable. Early storms may bring excellent conditions to some mountains while others continue building their snow base.
If skiing is the main purpose of your vacation, consider choosing a resort that has already opened rather than relying on a future target date.
Booking lodging with flexible cancellation terms can also provide peace of mind when planning an early-season trip.
When Is the Best Time to Plan a Colorado Ski Vacation?
The best time depends on what you’re looking for.
November: Early-Season Excitement
November brings opening-day celebrations and the excitement of returning to the mountains. Expect limited terrain at many resorts and changing conditions.
December: Holiday Ski Vacations
More resorts typically open additional terrain as snow accumulates. December is popular for holiday trips, particularly around Christmas and New Year’s.
January and February: Midwinter Skiing
January and February are popular months for travelers seeking winter snow conditions and a wider selection of open terrain.
March: Spring Break and Mountain Sunshine
March combines longer daylight hours with the possibility of significant snowfall. It’s a popular time for families and groups planning Colorado ski vacations.
No matter when you visit, check current conditions and book popular lodging and activities early during peak travel periods.
Plan Your Colorado Ski Vacation With Rocky Mountain Travel
Opening day is just the beginning of planning a memorable Colorado ski vacation.
At Rocky Mountain Travel, we help visitors discover mountain destinations, compare lodging options, arrange ski and snowboard rentals, and find activities that make the most of their time in Colorado.
Whether you’re planning a family ski vacation in Breckenridge, a romantic winter getaway to Telluride, or a week exploring Aspen Snowmass, our destination guides can help you plan your trip.
Start planning your Colorado mountain getaway:
- Explore Colorado ski destinations
- Find lodging near your favorite mountain
- Reserve ski and snowboard rentals
- Discover winter tours and activities
Explore Colorado Winter Destinations
Rocky Mountain Travel will update this guide as resorts announce changes to their 2026–27 opening dates. Check back for the latest information throughout the early ski season.