On-Again, Off-Again: Echo Mountain Temporarily Shuts Down Skiing

Opening weekend at Echo Mountain thrilled Denver locals, flocking to their closest resort for fresh snow and fun. However, Mother Nature had other plans. After a brief opening, Echo Mountain temporarily closed, awaiting a more consistent snowpack for lift-served skiing.

Echo Mountain successfully kicked off its 2025-26 season this past weekend, opening a top-to-bottom run for eager skiers and riders. Unfortunately, a stretch of unseasonably warm temperatures and a well-below-average snowpack across the state forced the resort's hand. On Sunday, officials announced a temporary shutdown of skiing operations through at least Thursday to protect the existing snow.

Echo Mountain isn’t alone; erratic weather has caused delayed openings and limited terrain at several Colorado resorts. While lifts are paused, Echo Mountain’s tubing remains open, letting Denver locals still enjoy a mountain outing.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for those looking to get back on the chairlift. Forecast models indicate a shift in the pattern, with three distinct storms expected to hit between now and Christmas. Upcoming storms could bring 10–20 inches of snow, giving small resorts like Echo the base they need. The first wave is expected to bring snow showers through Thursday morning, followed by a more substantial push Friday night into Saturday. If the forecasts hold, the holiday week could finally see the "kick-off" that Colorado skiers have been waiting for.

At TGR, we’ve seen our fair share of lean years and massive dumps so we know that patience is a vital part of the sport. Echo Mountain might be small compared to the giants of the Continental Divide, but its role as a local training ground and the "closest ski area to Denver" makes it a vital part of the Colorado community.

Stay tuned for more updates as we track these incoming storms across the West.