Ski Ward opens first; Wolf Creek follows with more extensive offerings

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Ski Ward opens first; Wolf Creek follows with more extensive offerings

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Daisy Hernandez Credit cards editor | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Oct 22, 2024

The race to open the first ski resort in the United States for the 2024-2025 season has concluded, with Ski Ward in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, taking the title. The resort opened on October 19, offering a short run with artificial snow accessed via a magic carpet ride. However, this setup did not provide the full mountain experience.

Wolf Creek Ski Area in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, is also welcoming skiers after receiving 26 inches of snow. The resort officially opened on October 22 and offers chairlift service seven days a week. On opening day, only 40% of its terrain was available for skiing from three lifts: Bonanza, Treasure, and Nova. Ticket prices are set at $68 for adults, $49 for seniors, and $34 for children.

Other resorts in the western United States experienced snowfall over the weekend as well. Keystone Resort and Arapahoe Basin are preparing to open soon with both natural and artificial snow contributing to their bases. Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado, Brian Head Resort in Utah, and Copper Mountain in Frisco have announced plans to open on November 8.

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By mid-November, several other resorts such as Vail Ski Resort in Colorado and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in California plan to start their seasons. East Coast ski enthusiasts will need to wait a bit longer as resorts like Killington Resort in Vermont aim for mid-November openings.

For those planning ski trips this season, securing passes early is advised due to potential price increases. Day passes can range from $100 to over $300 depending on the resort. Various pass options like Epic Pass or Ikon Pass offer access to multiple resorts across different states.

Families can take advantage of "ski passport" programs providing discounted days for children at participating mountains without requiring state residency.

As winter approaches, skiers are encouraged to prepare their gear and plan trips while hoping for favorable snow conditions throughout the season.