Wolf Creek, CO - First North American Ski Area Opens on 10/22/24

[ChrisC]

Wolf Creek opens on all-natural snow after 26" new.

However, this opening shows how flat most of Wolf Creek's terrain is since it can open nearly 40% of the mountain with only 2 ft of snow—likely compacting to a base of 8-16" at most (despite claiming 18"). See RED CIRCLE.

WCS Snow Report - Wolf Creek Ski Area - Colorado

wolfcreekski.com

-Today, Tuesday, October 22nd is the first day of the 2024-2025 ski season! Wolf Creek Ski Area is open for 7-day-a-week operations beginning Today, October 22, 2024, for the 85th Season!

-The Bonanza, Treasure, and Nova Lifts will be operating from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. giving access to roughly 40% of the mountain. The Magic Carpet will be open for the Wolf Pup & Wolf Rider Programs.

Colorado's Snowiest Ski Area Opening For The Season On Tuesday

Wolf Creek could be the first to open for skiing in Colorado for the 2024-25 season.

unofficialnetworks.com

 

[EMSC]

Wolf Creek Ski Area is open for 7-day-a-week operations

I have no idea how they are going to maintain that given the warm forecast this week.

In addition I can definitely say it won't be worth the price or travel. Wolf Creek likes to open on VERY sketchy conditions. Probably will be ~6-12" max, plus tons of rocks and dirt based on past openings.

 

[Tony Crocker]

However, this opening shows how flat most of Wolf Creek's terrain is since it can open nearly 40% of the mountain with only 2 ft of snow

That's the topography you need to open on 26 inches natural snow. I wonder how much snowmaking coverage there is. It wouldn't take a lot to maintain that mellow terrain, but I suspect there is not much.

the warm forecast this week

The snow report link above shows high today 48F, low 30F. In this scenario another issue is the ground probably wasn't frozen when the snow arrived. They may get melt/freeze conditions fast. I have seen this at Mammoth below 10,000 feet in seasons with early natural snow openings.

 

[EMSC]

I wonder how much snowmaking coverage there is.

Almost none. Last I knew they had like 6 snowguns and about 10-15 hydrants in the immediate base area and on the never ever Nova lift. So nothing at all on any of the 'real' lifts or terrain.

Looks better on the webcams than I would have expected, but also already a bit of dirt mixing into the snow and clearly very thin with no way to groom further (too thin).

 

[ChrisC]

The weather does look warm. They likely will need another storm soon! It looks like next week.

Even though I think Wolf Creek gets a bit overhyped due to its high snowfall and limited steep terrain, it's good for them to open early when possible! They have won the first ski area to open in North America—more than anyone else in 2020. And quality is likely always better than A-Basin.

Unfortunately, I do not visit Wolf Creek often since it's far from Telluride and/or Montrose Airport. It makes little sense to rent a car and add overnight - especially when there is no street parking in Telluride during the winter. It is much easier skiing Silverton, Crested Butte, and even Purgatory.

 

[MarzNC]

I am a bit surprised that WCSA is trying to be open 7-days a week already. It's been my early season destination the last three years. Driving to South Fork in early December again. My friends and I have enjoyed skiing WCSA at 100% open by Dec. 11, even when the mid-mountain depth was under 30 inches. In comparison to destination resorts around that time, it's more fun than only having a few lifts open at places like JHMR, Alta, Winter Park, or Copper. We've experienced a good powder storm every trip so far.

Ironically, the advantage of having more mellow tree terrain is one reason early season at WCSA can be good fun if you aren't interested in skiing fast and happy to cruise around on groomers and in glades.

Easiest tree/bump run off Alberta lift, Dec. 11, 2021

Not deep enough to put up trail signs

Powder storm, lifts opened late, Dec. 15, 2021

Day after the storm

 

[snowave]

My buddy (who lives in Pagosa) hit it opening day and said it was decent on several of the main runs. I don't think he ventured off trail, however.

When I lived there from 2015-2019, I did a few openers/early season, and attest that they can usually get several of main runs open with a couple feet of wetter stuff with not too many obstacles... but that's all you really want do without putting your life/equipment in danger.