Colorado ski season starts with the opening of Arapahoe Basin; no date for Loveland yet

Ski season has officially started in Colorado with the opening of Arapahoe Basin.

Skiers and snowboarders rode down the single intermediate trail that opened Friday under sunny skies.

A-Basin began making snow Oct. 2 and, over the course of several days, created the 18-inch base necessary for opening. The ski area also received about a foot of natural snow in the past several weeks.

It's the third straight year that A-Basin has won the race with Loveland Ski Area to be the first in the state to open.

Loveland plans to open later this month, while Copper and Keystone will have Halloween-themed openings Oct. 31.