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Lifts Open At A-Basin, Signaling The Start Of Ski Season

By Matt Kroschel

SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The lines stretched nearly halfway up the bottom of the ski run as thousands cheered on the opening of the 2017-2018 ski season at Arapahoe Basin Friday.

A Basin
(credit: CBS)

The race to open was won this year by A Basin thanks in part to 2 feet of fresh snow early on in October and cool temperatures perfect for snowmaking. They opened a week earlier than they did last year.

A Basin Opens
(credit: CBS)

The ski area officially became the first in North America to open for the season at 9 a.m. with one lift in operation. That was all skiers and boarders CBS4 talked with needed to get the itch of wanting to be back on the slopes off their mind.

PHOTO GALLERY: Ski Season Begins; A Basin Opens On Oct. 13

Some skiers and snowboarders waited for days for Friday morning's big event, and some wore silly costumes. The temperature was 30 degrees and winds were blowing at 4 mph for the first chair on the Black Mountain lift, according to CBS4's Ashton Altieri.

A Basin
(credit: CBS)

If you're planning to do some skiing on Friday or this weekend at the Summit County resort, check out CBS4's latest forecast below:

Loveland is typically in a race with A Basin to be the first Colorado ski resort to open for the season. They are planning to open soon. More resorts across the state will follow.

"A lot of mountains are going to be opening up in the coming days and weeks. We've had a terrific fall. It's been cool in the mountains. Snowmaking conditions have been great," said Melanie Mills, president of Colorado Ski Country.

Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.

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