The race is on as to which resort will claim bragging rights to opening up first for the 2008-09 ski season. Loveland Ski Area in Colorado, one of the world’s highest ski areas, experienced colder temperatures last week and immediately fired up snowmaking in the hopes of getting a head start on the season.
“It has been cold up in the high country, but it didn’t look like we would get the temperatures necessary to start making snow until later in the week,” said Eric Johnstone, Loveland’s Snowmaking and Trail Maintenance Manager.

We had all our guns placed on the hill and our crew was on standby so we were ready to go when the temperatures dipped last night.”

Loveland Ski Area has started making snow at midnight on the trails Catwalk, Mambo and Homerun for Opening Day 2008. These trails form a top to bottom run of 1,000 vertical feet.

“We have been getting flooded with calls and e-mails from skiers and riders eager to start the ski season,” said Rob Goodell, Director of Business Operations. “We still have snow up on the peaks from the last storm and now we have some snow on our trails too. Let the race begin!”
Snowmaking updates are available at www.skiloveland.com/snowmaking.

The site will be updated regularly with pictures and progress reports so visitors can get daily updates on snowmaking progress.