As Colorado’s snowpack nears record lows, popular ski areas are relying on manmade snow to open terrain as thousands of tourists visit over the Christmas holiday, many planning to ski or snowboard.

From Arapahoe Basin Ski Area to Breckenridge Ski Resort, Copper Mountain, Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Resort, Winter Park Resort, Steamboat Resort, Aspen-Snowmass and beyond, snowmaking teams, ski patrollers and groomers have been working to open terrain for guests amid a tough season.

“While natural snow has been slow to fall this year, our operations teams have been working hard around the clock to get the best possible product ready for the holiday season,” Breckenridge and Keystone Communications Manager Sarah McLear said in a statement.

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Most ski resorts have only a fraction of the amount of terrain open this year compared to past Christmas seasons. Several ski resort websites warn of “variable conditions” and thin base coverage.

With more skiers and riders expected on the limited amount of open terrain over the holidays, ski resorts are encouraging safety to be top of mind. 

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“It will be busier on the mountains over the holiday season, so guests should make sure they are always skiing within their ability, have a plan of where they are going, bring a buddy with them, slow down and stay alert, and only stay on open terrain,” Vail and Beaver Creek Senior Communications Manager Lee Nielson said.

Anyone skiing, snowboarding or participating in other snowsports this holiday season should be familiar with the Your Responsibility Code. Ski resorts across Colorado have adopted these National Ski Areas Association guidelines, which includes rules like always staying in control, giving those downhill the right of way, obeying signs and remaining off closed trails.

High-tech snowguns have helped some resorts capitalize on the snowmaking windows for so far this season. Still, temperatures this month have been “unseasonably warm,” McLear said, noting that most snowmaking in recent days has happened overnight, when the temperature hovers around 28 degrees or cooler. 

Even with limited amounts of terrain open, ski area spokespeople say there’s plenty of fun to be had for those who ski and ride safely.

“I think it’s just important for everyone to remember to have fun with what we got,” A-Basin Communications Manager Shayna Silverman said. “We’re all in this together and have to make the most of it. It’s good to be skiing, it’s good to be outside, and the snow will come.”

Here’s a look at what’s open at each ski resort, and how that compares to year’s past:

Aspen-Snowmass

Aspen-Snowmass had about 1,170 acres of skiing open across its four peaks, or about 21% of its about 5,700 total acres, according to the ski resort’s website. Going into Christmas, Aspen-Snowmass had 97 of 363 trails open.

A small amount of expert terrain was open at the Aspen Highlands, while Aspen Mountain offered intermediate and advanced trails and Snowmass and Buttermilk offered a significant amount of beginner skiing.

A spokesperson did not respond to questions regarding how much terrain the ski resort had open this time last year.

Breckenridge Ski Resort

Breckenridge had nearly 550 acres of terrain open, or roughly 19% of its about 2,900 total acres, McLear said. Peaks 7, 8 and 9 are open, offering green, blue and black-diamond rated terrain, according to the resort’s website. The Eldorado Terrain Park on Peak 9 was also open.

Heading into Christmas, Breckenridge had 37 of 193 trails open. McLear said snowmaking efforts at Breckenridge are focused on expanding terrain at Peak 7.

“While we know everyone is excited to get on the mountain, please remember that we are still in early-season conditions,” a banner on the Breckenridge website states. “Our teams are working hard to ensure the mountain is safe, but the snowpack is still being built, which means obstacles such as trees, rocks and other hazards may be present.”

Around this time last year, Breckenridge had all five peaks open and nearly 2,000 acres of skiing available, or just shy of 70% of the resort, according to previous reporting by Summit Daily News. In 2023, Breckenridge had about 800 skiable acres, or about 27% of the resort, open around the Christmas holiday.

Keystone Resort

Keystone had about 500 acres of terrain open, or about 16% of the resort’s approximately 3,150 total acres, according to McLear. That includes frontside skiing on Dercum Mountain, where green, blue and a handful of black diamond rated trails are open, and North Peak, where several blue trails and a black diamond trail are open.

Keystone is focused on expanding terrain into The Outback area, although there is no estimate for when this terrain will be open, she said. Heading into Christmas, the ski resort had 32 of 142 trails open, including the Easy Street and The Alley terrain parks.

“Please share the slopes, have patience and be kind to one another during this popular visitation period,” she added. 

Around this time last year, Keystone had plans to open high Alpine terrain, including the entire Bergman Bowl, according to Summit Daily. In 2023, the resort opened The Outback the Friday before Christmas.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

A-Basin had about 150 acres open, or roughly 11% of its total 1,428 acres, Silverman said. With nine of 142 trails open, the ski area had green- and blue-rated trails open with top-to-bottom skiing on the frontside, according to the A-Basin website. The Molly Hogan learning area is also open.

She said the ski area is focusing snowmaking efforts on the west side of its upper mountain, including areas like West Wall and Cornice Run, although there is not a timeline for when those areas might open.

“With weather and conditions this year, we’re certainly not where we have been in past years,” she said. “I can’t emphasize this enough: Our mountain ops team has been working so hard with what we got to get us to where we are today, and they continue to do so.”

Last year around this time, A-Basin had plans to open trails in the Beavers, including popular tree skiing runs, according to Summit Daily reporting. Around this time in 2023, A-Basin also had only nine of its trails open but was getting closer to opening the Pallavicini Lift.

Copper Mountain

Copper Mountain had 23 of 159 trails open heading into Christmas, according to the ski resort’s website. With about 288 acres open for skiing, Copper had a little over 10% of its roughly 2,000 skiable acres.

That includes the mountain’s beginner learning area and green and blue runs at East, Center and West villages. There is one black diamond run open near East Village.

Last year around the Christmas holiday, Copper Mountain had plans to open all of its lifts, including those that access the backbowls and areas like Three Bears. Copper received more than 100 inches of snow by the end of November last year.

Vail Mountain

Vail had more than 400 acres of terrain open, with plans to open additional terrain in the coming days, Nielsen said. That’s less than 10% of the ski resort’s roughly 5,300 total acres.

Heading into Christmas, there were 51 of 277 trails open, according to the ski resort’s website. That includes green runs on Golden Peak, green and blue runs on Lionshead and in Vail Village as well as green, blue and black diamond runs at Mid-Vail.

Just after Christmas last year, Vail had about 3,700 skiable acres, or about 70% of the mountain open, including backbowl areas like Tea Cup Bowl, according to Vail Daily reporting. In 2023, Blue Sky Basin and other backbowl areas opened around Christmas Day.

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek had over 200 acres open and also expects to open additional terrain in coming days, Nielsen said. That’s roughly 10% of the resort’s about 2,100 total acres.

Heading into Christmas, Beaver Creek had 13 of 167 trails open including green and blue runs, according to its website.

Last year, Beaver Creek had 1,600 acres open, or more than 75% of the resort, as of Dec. 28, a few days after Christmas, according to the Vail Daily.

Steamboat

Steamboat Resort had 41 trails and about 290 acres of skiable terrain open, or about 9% of the resort’s total 2,965 skiable acres, communications manager Maren Franciosi said in an email. This time last year, Franciosi said Steamboat had 136 trails and 2,198 acres of skiable terrain open, or about 74% of the resort. 

She said she is hopeful that the fresh snow will complement the resort’s snowmaking efforts.

“The terrain that is open is in good condition and our teams will continue to work with Mother Nature,” Franciosi said.