Vail, Beaver Creek and Keystone resorts begin snowmaking
Max Ritter/Vail Mountain
As the first semblance of a snowstorm swirled over the Gore Range this week, Eagle County ski areas took advantage.
Vail Ski Resort turned on the guns Wednesday night, and Beaver Creek was not far behind, hitting the switches Thursday afternoon, according to a release from Vail Resorts.
Mother Nature provided an assist with some natural snow, although that isn’t a requirement. Cold temperatures, however, are a necessity, as well as compressed air and compressed water.
Vail’s snowmaking fleet has a compressed air capacity that can fill the Goodyear blimp in just 12 minutes. At Keystone Resort, which began snowmaking Wednesday evening as well, the snow guns have their own weather stations, which allow conditions to be tracked in real time.
Keystone aims to open as soon as possible, while Vail and Breckenridge Ski Resort have Nov. 10 circled on the calendar as Opening Day. Beaver Creek is expected to open later in the month on Nov. 22.
