Sunshine Peak, not quite there yet as new snowmaking and the Wild Blue Gondola hopes to help resort open popular area earlier than ever
Steamboat Resort will open for the season on Saturday with 10 trails off of Christy Peak, an amount of terrain considered a "traditional opening" in Ski Town U.S.A, according to an announcement sent just before 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
“There’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of Opening Day,” said Dave Hunter, who is starting his first season since being named the permanent President and COO of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp, in Wednesday's announcement.
“All the hard work that goes into the off-season and the anticipation for the winter to come all comes together in this celebration" Hunter continued. "This winter’s mild La Nina forecast looks favorable for Steamboat and everyone on our team is excited to get the season kicked off and start sliding on snow!”
Christy Peak Express will start turning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, with access to trails including Sitz, Jess’ Cutoff, Vogue, Boulevard, Right O-Way, Skidaddle, and Stampede to name a few. Festivities kick off an hour earlier with complimentary Powder Day donuts and Korbel mimosas. After skiing and riding, Heavy Diamond Ring, the band behind the resort’s Steamboat Way songs, will host a free concert at 2:30 p.m.
The resort is optimistic about weather forecasted through thanksgiving calling for colder temperatures and light snow, which hopes to aid in snowmaking, the announcement says. High winds that accompany this weather may hinder snowmaking as well.
“This is a traditional opening for the resort,” Hunter said. “The new snowmaking and Wild Blue Gondola going all the way to Sunshine Peak means we can open that popular terrain earlier than ever, and our teams are working hard to get it ready for skiing and riding, but it’s not quite there yet. I think folks will be pleasantly surprised with how soon we can have that open.”
Top Photo Caption: Steamboat Resort will open Saturday with a "traditional opening." (Steamboat Resort/Courtesy)