Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

Photo by Mark Fox, Summit Daily News

By JANICE KURBJUN, SUMMIT DAILY NEWS

The snowstorm that hung over Summit County Saturday night dropped up to 8 inches of snow on local resorts' slopes, bringing smiles — and hope — to skiers and riders out to enjoy Sunday's first powder day of the season.

Late last week, forecasters anticipated 1-3 inches of snowfall in the system that came through Saturday, but upped the ante to 4-8 inches by 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Copper Mountain reported the most snowfall, with 8 inches. Breckenridge saw seven, while Keystone, Loveland and Arapahoe Basin reported 5 inches of during the previous 24 hours.

It was a change of pace for Summit County residents, many of whom have been enjoying the sunny, warm days, but longed for snow.

“It's like the sun came out, in a weird way,” said Frisco's Megan Missel. “It snowed yesterday and it was all right in the world.”

According to National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Kalina, the storm had more moisture than expected.

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