Colorado resorts welcome early snowfall on upper slopes

Fall is definitely in the air in Colorado's high country ... and winter, too.

The accompanying image reveals spectacular fall colors in the Aspen-Snowmass region, but also a fresh dusting of snow that blanketed the upper slopes early Monday.

Snow and a mixture of snow and rain fell throughout parts of Colorado, and resorts were quick to spread the news.

"If this is a sign of things to come, you better dust off the skis now and wear your boots to watch the Broncos' game tonight," Jeff Hanle, spokesman for Aspen-Snowmass, said in a news release.

The Broncos are playing the Falcons on Monday Night Football in Atlanta, but the comment shows the level excitement generated by the first tangible snowfall of the season in Colorado, arriving about two months before most resorts expect to open for skiing and snowboarding.

The Denver Post reported: "Snow acknowledgments were passed along by Colorado Ski Country USA, Loveland Ski Area, Arapahoe Basin, Winter Park Resort and Copper Mountain, among other ski areas and resorts."

Some of the resorts received as much as an inch of snow, mostly above 11,000 feet, which qualifies as a significant dusting.

But, alas, the excitement might be short-lived as a prolonged dry spell is expected after the storm passes through on Monday night.

Nonetheless, this is a sign that the season is changing, and folks in much hotter parts of the country are probably envious. Having been baking for several weeks in unbearably hot temperatures in Southern California, I know I am.

--Pete Thomas

-- Image is courtesy of Jeremy Swanson / Aspen-Snowmass

Comments

[Joe Campbell]

Since September, the slopes have gotten so much snow! I am headed to Steamboat for the weekend and I suggest that you head to the mountains as well. It is going to be a great year, which we need because of last years awful weather!
Joe @