Keystone Sells October Tickets as Colorado Ski Resorts Race to Open

Glenwood Springs —The 2026-27 ski season is already here. Not in the sense of a calendar date, but in the way snow clings to the metal stakes at Aspen Mountain and Steamboat Resort. It’s a thin layer, barely enough to cover the rust, but it’s there. And that matters because, after a winter defined by record-low snowpack and the lowest visitation in more than 35 years, Colorado’s ski industry is treating a dusting of pre-season precipitation like a victory lap.

The obvious take would be that the industry is desperate. That they’re selling lift tickets for Saturday, Oct. 24, at Keystone just to keep the lights on and the cash flowing. But that’s not exactly right. The race isn’t about survival; it’s about legacy.

Jacob Marquardt, Keystone Resort’s communications manager, put it plainly in a statement to the Post Independent. “The timeline to open is as soon as possible,” he said. “Keystone Resort does not have an official opening date. We remain committed to opening as soon as possible.”

Last year, on Oct. 25, Keystone beat A-Basin by a single day to claim the title of first ski resort in Colorado — and North America — to open for the 2025-26 season. It was a hollow victory, really, given how dry the winter turned out. But this year, the stakes feel different. The storm system rotating slowly to the west of Colorado pushed rain and snow showers into the state Monday and Tuesday, leaving some mountain tops white. Now, as the system tracks over the state Wednesday and Thursday, it’s bringing what OpenSnow Founding Meteorologist Joel Gratz calls “meaningful” snow.

Gratz, writing in a blog post Wednesday, noted that the storm will deliver 6-12 inches along the Interstate 70 mountain corridor. “Following last season’s bust, boy oh boy, it’s fun to be back on the storm train talking about consistent chances of snow,” he wrote. “Of course, it’s pre-season, and things will change/evolve over the next 6+ months, but at least for now, I’m getting excited.”

That excitement is palpable in the valley. Images of snow on snow stakes at Aspen-Snowmass, Loveland and Steamboat have been circulating on social media. Geoff Buchheister, CEO of Aspen Skiing Company, acknowledged the mood shift in a statement: “the first storm of the season is always an exciting moment, as we’re all watching the snow stakes, checking the forecast, and waxing our skis.”

But don’t let the enthusiasm fool you into thinking this is a guaranteed season. Gratz’s caveat about the next six months is the part everyone skips past. Snowmaking requires specific temperatures and humidity levels, not just a storm front. While Loveland Ski Area and Winter Park Resort have also announced plans to open when conditions permit, other major players like Copper Mountain, Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek have set their opening dates in November. They’re prepping snow guns this week, yes, but they aren’t rushing to claim the October title.

Keystone is the outlier. By selling tickets for a date that hasn’t been officially confirmed, they’re betting on their infrastructure and the weather. Marquardt added that if Keystone opens before or after that earliest available date, any previously purchased October lift ticket will be eligible for exchange. It’s a low-risk bet for the resort, but it signals confidence that others are holding back to watch.

Stand there long enough and you can see the difference between a resort that’s ready and one that’s hoping. The snow guns are prepped across the state, but only a few will actually turn them on before the weekend. The rest are waiting for the temperature to drop low enough, long enough, to make it worth the electricity bill.

The storm is inbound. The stakes are wet. And for now, that’s enough.