Winter Park Resort Matches Earliest Opening Date Ever on October 31

The battle for first turns has crowned a new contender. Winter Park Resort just threw down the official word: lifts start cranking for the 2025-26 season on Friday, October 31, at 1 p.m. The Colorado ski season is now officially in full throttle.

This early start is huge news for skiers and riders eagerly awaiting the cold smoke. It means Winter Park will be one of the first resorts in North America to get spinning, following close behind Keystone and Arapahoe Basin, and marking a major victory for early-season stoke.

This Halloween opening is far from a coincidence. It officially ties Winter Park’s earliest start date in its long history, a testament to the mountain operations team.

While early season skiing often means slim pickings, the resort has invested heavily in snowmaking over the last few years. This relentless commitment to snowmaking has paid off in a big way. Because of this, the mountain crew was able to secure a crucial base layer on a key run, allowing them to usher in the start of the season ahead of schedule.

The stoke levels are off the charts, but remember this is still October. The opening will be focused on limited terrain, allowing for those crucial first laps and the chance to get your ski legs back. Therefore, expect firm, fast surfaces and keep it on the groomed runs.

The lifts will be running until 4 p.m. on opening day. We're counting down the days for the Mary Jane Base area to open this year, as the resort is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Mary Jane base in January 2026.

The time for waiting is over. This announcement is the official signal to dig the gear out of the attic, tune the edges, and start dreaming of those fresh tracks.

Head to Winter Park tomorrow afternoon to lock in those first turns!