Beaver Creek opening early on Saturday as more snow takes aim at Colorado

Despite warm and dry weather the last three weeks following 4 feet of snow in October, Colorado ski resorts, including Beaver Creek, are still opening early for the 2019-20 ski season. And finally, some snow is in the immediate and longer-term forecast.

Vail may not have opened early for the season, hitting its scheduled opening of Friday, Nov. 15 — which arguably is earlier than usual because of the mountain’s big capital outlay on an advanced new snowmaking system – but Beaver Creek is opening four days early on Saturday.

Aspen and Snowmass are also opening Saturday, five days ahead of schedule.

That should be good timing for some fresh snow after three weeks of nada.

“Tuesday will be the last dry day of the week. We’ll see snow showers on Tuesday night, a burst of snow on Wednesday, another burst of snow on Thursday, and showers continue into Friday,” Opensnow.com forecaster Joel Gratz wrote Tuesday morning.

“The southern mountains should see 10-20 inches with about 4-10 inches in the northern mountains,” he added. “The weekend will be dry, then multiple storms should hit Colorado during the week of Thanksgiving and into early December.”

Here’s the press release about Beaver Creek’s early opening:

Beaver Creek Resort to Open Early for the 2019-20 Winter Season on Saturday, Nov. 23

BEAVER CREEK, Colo. – Nov. 19, 2019 – For the second year in a row, Beaver Creek Resort will open early for the 2019-20 ski and snowboard season, thanks to the dedication and hard work of its snowmaking and mountain operations teams. Beaver Creek will open Saturday, Nov. 23, four days ahead of its scheduled Nov. 27 opening date. The resort will offer more than 70 acres of terrain accessed by two lifts starting at 9 a.m. With Beaver Creek’s early opening, Epic Pass holders will have access to skiing and riding at Beaver Creek, Vail, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado.

“I am thrilled Beaver Creek Resort will open for the 2019-20 season four days ahead of schedule,” said Nadia Guerriero, Beaver Creek Resort vice president and chief operating officer. “This early opening would not have been possible without the hard work of our mountain operations teams. We are also excited to debut our newly renovated Children’s Ski School, remodeled village, and to offer our guests an amazing and memorable early season experience.”

Beginning Saturday, Nov. 23, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy skiing and riding on more than 70 acres of beginner and intermediate terrain accessible via Centennial Express Lift (#6) and Haymeadow Express Gondola (#1). The resort will offer beginner terrain on Haymeadow and intermediate terrain on Gold Dust. Opening day festivities will include a special Cookie Time in the morning.

For those looking to grab a bite to eat on the mountain, Spruce Saddle and the Ice Cream Parlour will open for the season with daily operations beginning Saturday, Nov. 23.

Beaver Creek Ski & Snowboard School

Beginning Saturday, Nov. 23, the Beaver Creek Ski & Snowboard School will begin offering full-day group lessons, as well as half-day and full-day private lessons for guests of all ages and skill levels. For the best price guarantee, guests are encouraged to book in advance online at www.beavercreek.com or by calling (970) 754-5300. Childcare will be available beginning Wednesday, Nov. 27 at Small World.

Epic Pass

With Beaver Creek’s early opening, Crested Butte’s opening just around the corner, as well as great early-season conditions at Vail, Breckenridge, and Keystone, don’t miss the last chance to secure an Epic Pass by Nov. 24. With a variety of pass products including the new Epic Day Pass, to the Epic Local and full Epic Pass, there is a pass for every type of skier and rider.

Lift Tickets

The Ticket and Season Pass Offices are currently open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. For more information or advanced lift tickets, visit www.beavercreek.com.

World’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition, Wednesday, Nov. 27

Beaver Creek’s World’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition remains scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 27, with an exciting array of events. Five finalists will serve a total of 5,000 cookies to an eager crowd of cookie connoisseurs ready to vote for their favorite recipe beginning at 2 p.m, with the winner announced at 3 p.m.

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Friday, Nov. 29
A Thanksgiving week tradition, Beaver Creek’s 39^th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony brings families together to celebrate the magic of winter, skiing in the mountains, and the holidays. Set in the heart of Beaver Creek Village, enjoy a wide range of entertainment, culminating in the lighting of the tree and fireworks. New this year, families can enjoy a Holiday Market in Beaver Creek Village from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Parking at Beaver Creek

Paid parking in the Bear and Elk Lots will begin on Nov. 23. Parking is $10 per day and is complimentary after 1 p.m. A 10-day punch pass is available for purchase for $75 and is available at the Ticket Offices in Beaver Creek Village. Complimentary direct shuttle service is provided from each lot to Beaver Creek Village. The Beaver Creek Village Connect app is available for download on the Apple App Store or Google Play. The Village Connect app provides door-to-door, on-demand rides and information on fixed shuttle routes to property owners and guests in Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead. For additional information regarding parking, call (970) 949-4911.

Early Season & Uphill Access

All guests are reminded that they must observe all posted signs, closures and slow zones, especially during the early season. Closed trails may contain hazards due to early season snow coverage. Accessing closed terrain is a violation of the Colorado Ski Safety Act and will result in the loss of skiing privileges and could involve prosecution and a fine. Uphill access is currently closed. During the early season, uphill access routes will be very limited and are subject to change and/or close on a daily basis. For the safety of guests and employees, all uphill access users are required to call the Uphill Access Hotline before accessing the mountain—(970)-754-5907. For more information on the resort’s uphill access policy and guidelines, including designated routes during winter operations, visit the Mountain Safety page on beavercreek.com.

About Beaver Creek Resort: Renowned for legendary attention to detail, World-Cup mountain pedigree, intimate alpine village, and reputation as one the world’s best luxury family resorts, Beaver Creek Resort represents incomparable elegance and Rocky Mountain leisure which spoils guests for anywhere else with an unparalleled level of world-class service. Just 30 minutes east of Eagle Airport (EGE) and 2.5 hours west of Denver International Airport (DIA), Beaver Creek offers luxury accommodations throughout three villages and ski-in, ski-out luxury lodges and hotels. More than 40 in-resort and slope-side restaurants, elegant village boutiques, cherished daily traditions and activities such as world-class downhill skiing and snowboarding spanning 1832 acres with 3340 vertical feet of descent, snow shoeing, Nordic skiing, and ice skating in the Beaver Creek village. Visit BeaverCreek.com for additional information and vacation planning.