Thanks to an early season snowstorm and the gargantuan efforts of the snowmaking team and the rest of their employees, Eldora Mountain Resort was able to open a full two weeks earlier than originally projected. On Friday, November 3, President and General Manager Brent Tregaskis addressed skiers and snowboarders standing in line at the Alpenglow chairlift champing at the bit to take their first runs of the year. Many of them were diehard enthusiasts who frequent the mountain scores of times each season.

I’ve noticed over the years that skiers and boarders always know the exact number of days they’d spent recreating on the slopes. Tregaskis quipped that he had skied fewer times last year than a lot of them – he only skied 92 times! It’s just a coincidence that his last name ends with “skis.”

After welcoming back his loyal patrons, thanking everyone involved, and popping the traditional champagne cork to whoops, hollers, and applause, the ceremonial cowbell clanged heralding the beginning of what promises to be another great year.

The Hornblower, Klondike, and International trails were all open, amounting to 1,000 vertical feet to schuss or shred upon. A terrain park was also featured for refining tricks and maneuvers in front of West Wing Lodge. More intermediate, expert, and beginner runs along with Nordic trails for cross-country skiing will open in the coming weeks.

Constantly striving to enhance the already superb Eldora experience, a new 12,000-square-foot lodge is being constructed to house Adaptive Sports and their children’s ski and ride school. It is slated to open for the 2024/25 season. Major snowmaking upgrades, a solar energy system at the Nordic Center, new carpet in the Indian Peaks Lodge, and restrooms in the parking lots are among the improvements this year.

Lifts at Eldora Mountain Resort are running every day from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information relating to current snow conditions, rentals, pricing, parking, programs, and upcoming events, see www.Eldora.com.