Three trails, 1000 vertical feet and an 18 inch base were open at Loveland Ski Area Nov. 10 to start the season. Marketing Manager Dustin Schaefer added that snowmakers would shift their focus to open additional terrain soon.
Denver resident Sean Greene was one of four on the first chair.
“It’s my home mountain,” Greene said. “Been coming here seven, eight years now. Just the freedom of it is so great.”
Tom Miller arrived at Loveland 24 hours before the lift opened to share the first chair.
“It’s just a blast to be the pioneer of that next season,” Miller said. “Part of it is just inspiring the next generation to get up here.”
“It’s just a rush knowing everyone is behind you,” added Darren Droge as he waited on the first chair to take him up the mountain.
Early season lift tickets are available at $119 for adults and $40 for children aged 6-14, according to Schaefer.
Snow guns could be seen blasting a white mist on other runs yet to open.
“They’ve (skiers) been waiting all summer for this,” said Loveland Chief Operating Officer Rob Goodell. “It’s sharing our passion with their Passions.”
Goodell said a warm stretch of weather this season delayed the opening. He added that Loveland Ski Area Is more of a local destination compared to the resorts on the other side of the Eisenhower Tunnel.
More than a dozen Loveland workers were at the lift all wearing black coats and hoods emblazoned with “Loveland Ski Area.” Most of them said this was their first year at the mountain.
Loveland Ski Area will operate seven days a week, continuing through Closing Day in early May. Lifts will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and designated holidays, according to the posted schedule.