As opening day at Steamboat Ski Resort quickly approaches, word on the slopes is that with its state-of-the-art snowmaking, the resort is on track to open Nov. 22.

Despite a lack of natural snow, the resort has made 200-acre feet of snow, which is the second most on record at this point of the season, according to Vice President of Mountain Operations Corey Peterson.

“It looks good,” explained Peterson. “While that may be hard to tell with the lack of natural snow, that is common this time of year.”

Priority areas

Peterson and his snowmaking team have prioritized the trails connected to four areas: Christie Peak, Sunshine Pod, Greenhorn Ranch and All Out.

Despite focusing on those areas, precisely which trails will be open is unknown.

“There are too many variables to determine that at this point,” said Peterson.

On a night 15 degrees or colder, the resort can produce 2-acre-feet of snow per hour, or 87,120 cubic feet per hour.

Cause for celebration

Opening day is one of the biggest annual events for the resort, according to Communications Director Maren Franciosi.

The resort will present over $100,000 to four nonprofits: Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Friends of Colorado Avalanche Information Center, Routt County Search and Rescue and Routt County Crisis Support.

More information on opening day festivities will be available in the coming days.

Weather outlook

Five inches of snow and sub-freezing temperatures are expected at the base of the mountain next Tuesday, kicking off an extended period of colder weather prior to opening day.

“I have seen predictions between 2 and 4 inches with this upcoming system, although there is quite a bit of variability in the different models,” said Peterson. “It does look like there are several systems following this upcoming one and the weather pattern shifts to a much cooler pattern starting this weekend and through much of the latter half of November.”