Today's the day for Loveland

Ski area opens after foot-deep weekend snow

Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 16, 2007 at midnight

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Skiers and riders, rejoice. A foot of fresh powder this weekend has made it possible for Loveland Ski Area to open today.

"Conditions are absolutely amazing," said John Sellers, marketing director for the ski resort. "It's going to be one of our best opening days in recent memory."

Three beginner-intermediate trails - Cat Walk, Mambo and Home Run - will be open with an 18-inch base.

One ski lift - Chair One - will start running at 9 a.m.

An adult ski pass costs $42, while children ages 6-14 can ski for $20.

"It's very exciting," Sellers said. "The mountains are covered with snow. I think we'll have a good crowd tomorrow. People have been e-mailing and calling us for a while."

Loveland Ski Area started snowmaking on Sept. 24 but it wasn't until Saturday that there was heavy, natural snowfall.

"It really helped to push the opening," said Kathryn Johnson, marketing manager for Loveland Ski Area. "We're ready to go."

More trails are expected to open within the week.

"We'll open as we can, if the coverage is there," Johnson said.

Skiers and snowboarders who are headed to Loveland today can expect highs of 45 to 55 degrees, with lows dropping into the upper teens and 20s, according to the National Weather Service.

A cold front moving in Wednesday will bring a 40 percent chance of snow to the high country, increasing to 50 percent on Thursday. Highs on both days will likely be cooler, 35 yo 45 degrees, and nights will be in the 20s.

Residents in the Denver area will enjoy one more sunny day today, with highs from 63 to 69 degrees, and lows in the 40s.

But the same system that is expected to bring snow to the mountains on Wednesday and Thursday will bring a slight chance of rain to the metro area on both days.

fongt@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5489

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