Whiteout: Sun and fun at Colorado resorts this weekend, plus cat-skiing on the Continental Divide

SNOW REPORT:

The never-ending cycle of storminess in January Colorado's mountains experienced is taking a break from the action going into the first weekend of February.

The last day of January left a few more inches of snow, setting up incredible bases at every resort statewide. And while the sun will be the prominent feature the rest of the week and weekend, a new storm looks to flow into Colorado Sunday night and Monday.

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model shows light snow accumulations in the northwest corner of the state mid-morning Monday, however, the model might change as the storm nears Colorado, but shows between 3 and 6 inches falling onto the slopes. The northern and central mountains look to receive the most amounts of snow with next week's storm.

Colorado's statewide snowpack is above average in all but one river basin — the Arkansas River — as February starts. Skiers and riders at Steamboat enjoyed 12 days of six to 10 inches of fresh snow, four days in double digits, and only seven total days of no measured snow for the entire month of January.

Winter 2022-23 has been full of surprises, and lots of snow, for northern Colorado resorts.

Local News

Did this Colorado mountain town break its record low?

• Jonathan Ingraham jonathan.ingraham@denvergazette.com

SNOW LINKS:

SNOEWS:

Arapahoe Basin opened some runs in the Steep Gullies on Jan. 29, and Loveland is launching its Snowcat Tours this weekend.

"We have been working closely with the US Forest Service to expand our skier services, and we can't wait to introduce our fellow snow sports enthusiasts to this area," COO of Loveland Ski Area Rod Goodell said via email.  "This is really fun terrain, and our guides will make sure that everyone has a great time with us in Dry Gulch."

Upcoming festivals: February begins with two great festivals to check out in Colorado's high country. Ice climbers take to the frozen falls at The Lake City Ice Festival and the second race of the Leadville Winter MTB series will have riders pedaling in the snow on real climbs with real descents for real fun. 

• Lake City Ice Festival (Feb. 4)
• Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series (Tenn. Pass, Feb. 4)
• 110th Steamboat Winter Carnival (Feb. 8-12)
• Lake San Cristobal Brew Ski (Feb. 11)
• 20th Annual Leadville Loopet (Feb. 25)
• Copper Mountain Dew Tour 2023 (Feb. 24-26)

Howelsen Hill FREE Sunday: Sunday Funday is taken to an entirely new level as Howelsen Hill hosts Free Skiing every Sunday throughout the winter season. Take your Ski Free ticket to Mountain Tap Brewer and enjoy a free pint or popcorn, plus Tube Howelsen is a new and exciting option for those that want another way to slide.

Reservations are not required for ski Free Sundays, just visit the ticket office and pick up your free ticket before hitting the slopes.

RESORT REPORT:

Below are conditions for all Colorado resorts as of Wednesday afternoon.

• Arapahoe Basin — Wed 5:42a packed powder machine groomed 54 - 54 base 134 of 147 trails 92% open, 1340 acres, 9 of 9 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.
• Aspen Highlands — Wed 3:54a powder machine groomed 53 - 69 base 117 of 122 trails 96% open, 1053 acres, 5 of 5 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p; Sat/Sun: 9a-3:30p.
• Aspen Mountain — Wed 3:54a powder machine groomed 41 - 45 base 76 of 76 trails 100% open, 675 acres, 7 of 8 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p; Sat/Sun: 9a-3:30p.
• Beaver Creek — Wed 5:36a machine groomed 60 - 60 base 165 of 169 trails 98% open, 25 of 25 lifts, Mon-Fri: 8:30a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.
• Bluebird Backcountry — Wed Reopen 02/02 powder machine groomed 35 - 45 base 20 of 25 trails, 90% open, 1080 acres Mon/Thu/Fri: 8:30a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p Open Thu-Mon.
• Breckenridge — Wed 4:59a variable machine groomed 50 - 50 base 186 of 187 trails 99% open, 2758 acres, 34 of 35 lifts, Mon-Fri: 8:30a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.
• Buttermilk — Wed 3:54a powder machine groomed 34 - 36 base 43 of 44 trails 98% open, 452 acres, 5 of 8 lifts, Mon-Fri: 8:15a-4:30p Sat/Sun: 8:15-4:30p.
• Cooper — Wed 5:38a packed powder machine groomed 32 - 42 base 64 of 64 trails, 100% open 480 acres, 5 of 5 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p.
• Copper Mountain — Wed 5:45a machine groomed 55 - 55 base 152 of 162 trails 98% open, 23 of 23 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-5p; Sat/Sun: 9a-5p.
• Crested Butte — Wed 5:37a machine groomed 58 - 58 base 115 of 160 trails 72% open, 1241 acres, 15 of 15 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p.
• Echo Mountain — Wed 7:56a machine groomed 18 - 18 base 10 of 12 trails 83% open, 3 of 3 lifts, Mon-Tue: 10a-5p; Wed-Fri: 10a-9p; Sat: 9a-9p Sun: 9a-5p.
• Eldora — Wed 5:46a machine groomed 24 - 24 base 55 of 65 trails, 85% open 355 acres, 9 of 10 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.
• Granby Ranch — Wed 7:58a packed powder machine groomed 41 - 41 base 51 of 51 trails 100% open, 5 of 5 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p.
• Hesperus Ski Area — Wed Reopen 02/02 packed powder machine groomed 48 - 52 base Thu/Fri: 4p-9p; Sat: 10a-9p Sun: 10a-5p; Open Thu-Sun.
• Howelsen Hill — Wed 7:59a machine groomed 55 - 55 base 19 of 19 trails 100% open, 3 of 3 lifts, Mon-Fri: 11a-8p; Sat/Sun: 10a-4p.
• Irwin — Wed 8:29a powder machine groomed 81 - 130 base 85 of 100 trails, 85% open
• Kendall Mountain — Operating, no details Fri: 11a-4p Sat/Sun: 11a-4p; Open Fri-Sun.
• Keystone — Wed 5:22a packed powder machine groomed 43 - 43 base 130 of 130 trails 100% open, 3145 acres, 20 of 20 lifts, Mon-Thu: 8:30a-4p Fri: 8:30a-8p Sat: 8:30a-8p Sun: 8:30a-4p.
• Loveland — Wed 4:50a powder machine groomed 47 - 47 base 83 of 94 trails 88% open, 1369 acres, 10 of 10 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.
• Monarch — Wed 5:37a powder machine groomed 54 - 54 base 67 of 67 trails 100% open, 800 acres, 5 of 7 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p.
• Powderhorn — Wed 5:55a packed powder machine groomed 67 - 67 base 54 of 54 trails 100% open, 5 of 5 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p.
• Purgatory — Wed 5:05a packed powder machine groomed 54 - 58 base 105 of 105 trails 100% open, 1650 acres, 9 of 11 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p.
• Silverton Mountain — Wed 6:34a powder 60 - 120 base 69 of 69 trails, 100% open, 26819 acres, 1 of 1 lift Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p Sat/Sun: 9a-3:30p.
• Snowmass — Wed 3:54a powder machine groomed 43 - 63 base 98 of 98 trails 100% open, 3342 acres, 20 of 20 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p Sat/Sun: 9a-3:30p.
• Steamboat — Wed 5:31a powder machine groomed 81 - 113 base 171 of 171 trails 100% open, 2963 acres, 21 of 21 lifts, Mon-Wed: 8:30a-4p Thu/Fri: 8:30a-4p/5:30p-8:30p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p/5:30p-8:30p.
• Sunlight — Wed 5:35a powder machine groomed 49 - 49 base 77 of 77 trails 100% open, 3 of 3 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p.
• Telluride — Wed 5:07a powder machine groomed 44 - 50 base 138 of 147 trails 94% open, 1454 acres, 16 of 17 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.
• Vail — Wed 5:35a machine groomed 70 - 70 base 275 of 273 trails, 100% open 33 of 33 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p; Sat/Sun: 9a-3:30p.
• Winter Park — Wed 4:58a powder machine groomed 62 - 66 base 157 of 168 trails 93% open, 2684 acres, 20 of 24 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.
• Wolf Creek — Wed 7:31a powder machine groomed 94 - 104 base 133 of 133 trails 100% open, 42 miles, 1600 acres, 9 of 10 lifts, Mon-Fri: 8:30a-4p Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.