Ski season is here: Wolf Creek first US ski resort to open for 2021-22
October is a month of beginnings: The beginning of autumn, the beginning of the holiday season and the beginning of ski season in the U.S.
Many resorts in the western U.S. have opening dates slated for late October into November, but the first opening of the season is already here. Wolf Creek in south-central Colorado officially opened its ski lifts today, Oct. 16, 2021, after 14 inches of fresh snow fell during a recent storm.
This is an early opening for the resort, the third earliest in history following its Oct. 13 opening date in 2018 and an Oct. 8 opening date in a prior year.
The Wolf Creek website lists Treasure Stoke, Bonanza, Nova and the Lynx lifts will all be open Oct. 16 and 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. before closing for the week. The slopes will reopen the following weekend. The slopes will be closed during the week and will reopen the following weekend.
Right now, you can get lift tickets in-person at the ticket office priced at Local Appreciation Rates — $60 for adults, $31 for kids and $41 for seniors.
There are dining options available: The Upper Lodge is serving a limited menu, Pathfinder Bar is open and the Continental Espresso Bar is also open.
Wolf Creek has implemented 2021-22 COVID-19 operating precautions. Skiers will have to wear masks in all public indoor spaces. Group lessons are not currently available with the exception of Wolf Pups (which has limited capacity). Lifts will accommodate skiers who wish to ride alone or only in your group.
Additionally, enhanced cleaning measures, reduced capacity in indoor spaces (such as restaurants and even bathrooms) and employee requirements for vaccination or COVID-19 testing are all in place for the season.
Is the early season good for skiing?
If you live in the area and are hoping to get some early skiing in, you may be wondering if it's a good weekend to head to the slopes.
Keep in mind that the resort is operating in early season conditions, which means that some obstacles such as rocks, small boulders, bare spots and short stumps will likely be unmarked.
Beginner slopes on Nova, Susan's and Foxy are open, as well as most of the trails off of Treasure Stroke and Bonanza. However, extra caution is still needed — especially for beginners. The terrain in the early season is a bit more difficult to navigate and snowpack could be thin.
All that said, if you're itching to get out on the slopes, the fresh snowfall should make for a beautiful weekend. Temperatures with highs in the upper 30s are forecasted with similar conditions expected for next weekend.
It's rare for such a wide range of slopes to be open so early in the season, so locals comfortable on their skis can take advantage of less crowded lifts and fresh powder.
Additionally, you can get a jump on lessons — private lessons in the ski school are available for all ages and abilities, and Wolf Pups for kids 5 to 8 years old is open, too.
Related: 6 changes I hope ski resorts keep after the pandemic melts away
When do other ski resorts open?
While Wolf Creek is kicking off early season this year, traditional “early season” ski openers, such as Loveland and Arapahoe Basin, won't be far behind. In fact, Arapahoe Basin opens tomorrow, Oct. 17.
Here's a quick rundown of the projected opening dates for U.S. ski resorts in October:
- Arapahoe Basin (Colorado): Oct. 17
- Timberline (Oregon): Oct. 29
- Keystone (Colorado): Oct. 30
- Loveland (Colorado): Oct. 30
Related: Best ski resorts for families in North America
Other resorts in the western United States will start kicking off the ski season throughout November. The East Coast trails behind, with the first slopes currently set to open in Maine and New Hampshire Nov. 20.
We can almost hear the clanking of the skis, the clamping of the boots and the yells of delight from here. Get your ski passes and ski resort award bookings ready to let the fun of the ski season begin.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.