For some, riding the coveted “first chair” on opening day is a dream come true, but for 15-year-old Ethan Maines, it has simply become tradition. 

Last year, Maines rode his bike to the Steamboat Resort base area at 6:30 p.m. the night before opening day to camp out and ensure he was first to ski on Mount Werner for the 2023-24 season. This year was no different, just a little more hardcore. 

Maines packed his bag and rode his bike once again to the base area Friday night, but this time he did so at 2 p.m., a full 18 hours and 30 minutes prior to the resort’s opening at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. 

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Joining Maines for the overnight stay were two of his closest high school friends. He said the three of them had no troubles passing the time despite the high anticipation. 

“We just goofed off,” Maines said. “We hiked up the hill once and slid down. It was super fun just being here with friends.” 

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Maines said the trio took turns with bathroom breaks to hold their position in line and their parents even joined as a support crew, bringing pizza to the boys for dinner Friday night. 

Overnight, Maines tucked himself into a sleeping bag which laid atop a pad but he had no tent for cover. He simply rested his head on the pillow and managed to fall asleep with the frigid air. 

Maines and his friends lasted the night and rose with the sun early Saturday morning. Crowds of skiers and snowboarders began to shuffle in and file behind them, leading to the opening day events and eventually first chair, which took off from Christie Peak Express at 8:30 a.m. 

“This is the start of the season and we want to get the stoke up,” Maines said. “Opening Day is a fresh start to a new season. I have some new goals, I want to land a double backflip this year and have fun with friends.” 

Maines, a Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club athlete, skied at Steamboat Resort all morning before heading over to Howelsen Hill in the afternoon to help prepare the ski jumps for the winter season. 

On Saturday, 10 trails in total opened at Steamboat Resort, including Sitz, Jess’ Cutoff, Vogue, Boulevard, Right O-Way, Skidaddle, Stampede and more. The mountain also had a pocket terrain park on Stampede available for those in search of an extra thrill. All trails were accessible via Christie Peak Express. 

Greenhorn Ranch, the resort’s beginner area, was also accessible through the lower Wild Blue Gondola for first-time skiers and for students of the Steamboat SnowSports School. 

Steamboat Square later filled for the presentation of a $50,000 donation from Ski Corp. to the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club on the Steamboat Stage. Heave Diamond Ring, a contemporary indie-folk band, immediately followed with a musical performance. 

Steamboat Resort plans to continue opening more sections of the mountain as conditions allow and will begin night skiing and riding each Thursday through Sunday from Dec. 12 until March 23. Night operations begin at 5:30 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m.