Keystone Ski Resort, located in Colorado, has initiated snowmaking operations and plans to open for the season on October 17th. Last year, Keystone opened on October 21 and stayed open until May.

Keystone starts the annual race in Colorado to open first. Located 90 miles west of Denver, Keystone offers 1,739 acres of skiable terrain; 871 of those acres are covered by snowmaking.

The opening day rush on the east coast has also started. Sugarbush and Killington are in a heated battle to open first. Killington vows to open first for the 39th year in a row. Both resorts are owned by the American Skiing Company.