Loveland kicks off Colorado ski season
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- Created on Sunday, 24 October 2010 07:00
- Written by Matt Steiner
“Happy first day!”
That joyous sentiment echoed through the mountains Sunday as Loveland Ski Area became the first in Colorado to open for the 2010-11 ski season.
Eight inches of fresh snow and a weekend opening brought a hearty lift line and crowded slopes.
More than 100 vehicles filled the parking lot by 8 a.m., and the eager skiers and riders created a raucous noise while waiting for the countdown to open the season.
Fall's unusually warm temperatures and dry conditions heightened the crowd's excitement.
Mike Sinclair, 27, and Matt Vermeern, 26, of Fort Collins, dressed up in suits and ties to take advantage of the natural and man-made snow. Loveland and opening-day rival Arapahoe Basin each fired up their snow guns two weeks ago. A-Basin opens its season Monday.
“It’s just another day at the office for us,” Sinclair said, trying to look business-like despite wearing a hat that resembled a teddy bear’s head. “We decided to sport our suits and come out and rip it.”
Most were at Loveland to “rip it.” But Nate Dogggg, who calls himself a “fun bum,” felt a responsibility to continue his running streak of 16 straight years on Colorado’s first chair of the season.
“We’ve been here just posting up and getting ready for first chair,” said Dogggg, who had been camping in Loveland's parking lot since about noon Wednesday.
Dogggg brought along two friends to fill the first chair: Jeff Meyer took a seat next to Dogggg for the fifth time while Meesh Hytner was making her very first run.
Others turned opening day into a family outing.
Tawna Coose and husband Austin brought 3-year-old daughter Sophie for her first time on a snowboard. Also with them were daughter Lexi, 12, and son Cody Bulaga, 15. The family moved to Colorado from Florida two years ago and Lexi and Cody began riding in March.
“We were really excited,” said Tawna Coose, who won a VIP opening-day pass from Loveland via Facebook. “We’ve been watching the news every single day and following the resorts to see who’s going to open first.”
While resorts in Oregon and Maine had already begun limited operations, Loveland is believed to be the first ski area in North America to open full-time for the season.
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