First ski resort opens in North America

20th October 2014, by Abi Butcher

Ski patrollers on Arapahoe Basin's Black Mountain Express lift last Friday

Arapahoe Basin, or A-Basin to those in the know, has yet again become the first ski resort in the US to open its slopes for the season.

A-Basin in Colorado is known for its record-breaking ski seasons – earlier this year it closed its lifts at the end of June after opening on 13 October 2013.

Last Friday, 17 October, Arapahoe opened for the 2014-15 season at 9am, when the Black Mountain Express lift cranked in to life, offering access to the High Noon run as well as the resort’s terrain park.

As is the A-Basin tradition, the resort offered the first in the queue for the lift a free pass, and this year the winners began the wait at just before 5.30am. At 6.12am, Arapahoe president and COO Alan Henceroth reported there were nine people waiting — dedication!

“For October 17, I don’t think we could have asked for more,” said Mr Henceroth. “Sunshine, blue skies, good snow and lots of smiling people.”

This week Arapahoe has had warmer temperatures at night, so has been unable to continue snowmaking but expects a change in the weather this week.

• ski
• snowboard
• arapahoe basin
• resort
• a-basin
• opening
• america

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