A fall snowstorm delivered an early Halloween treat for skiers and snowboarders today at Breckenridge and Keystone with up to 2 feet of snow overnight, prompting Keystone Resort to announce an earlier opening to its 2006-2007 season.

Keystone was initially scheduled to open Friday, Nov. 10, however, with a series of powerful fall snowstorms that have delivered more than 3 feet of snow just this month, cold temperatures for efficient snowmaking and upgrades to its snowmaking system, Keystone will be ready to open Friday, Nov. 3 – a week earlier than expected.

Today, Breckenridge reported 2 feet of snow mid-mountain with Keystone receiving 16 inches at the midway point of Dercum Mountain. Vail and Beaver Creek reported more than 7 inches. 

While the new snow is giving skiers and snowboarders a reason to celebrate, it’s been challenging for drivers. There were several closures on Interstate 70 today and Loveland Pass was also closed due to snowfall. Schools in the Keystone and Breckenridge areas were closed today for the first snow day of the season.

The early season snow and cold snowmaking temperatures have resort officials excited for Keystone’s early Nov. 3 opening day, Breckenridge’s opening day of Nov. 10, Vail’s opening on Nov. 17 and Beaver Creek’s kick off to the season Nov. 22.

According to the National Weather Service, the winter storm warning is in effect through this afternoon for the Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail and Beaver Creek areas and long-term predictions are calling for above average early-season snow for the Colorado resorts. This year, Keystone, Breckenridge and Beaver Creek plan to open high-alpine, in-bounds terrain to complement the legendary Back Bowls of Vail. Keystone’s opening new snowcat ski terrain in Independence Bowl, Breckenridge has announced 150 acres of new high-alpine terrain called SnowWhite and Beaver Creek’s new Stone Creek Chutes are set to open this season.

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