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Winter Is Here: Ski Season Starts Early as More Colorado Resorts Open

Oct. 16, 2018
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3 min read
Arapahoe Basin
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After a less-than-award-winning ski season last year, the 2018-2019 US ski season is off to a tremendous and earlier-than-normal start, courtesy of Mother Nature. Last week, the Wolf Creek Ski Area in south central Colorado powered up its lifts well ahead of schedule thanks to 30 inches of October snow. Now, two more Colorado ski resorts have announced opening dates this weekend.

Arapahoe Basin to Open on Friday

Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin), located 96 miles west from Denver International Airport (DEN) via I-70, has announced a start to the ski season beginning on Friday, Oct. 19, thanks to two feet of natural snow and temperatures that can accommodate additional snowmaking.

While A-Basin plans to be open seven days a week, not all of the terrain is ready for prime-time skiing. At present, Black Mountain Express and High Noon will be open as of 9am on Friday with additional terrain open as conditions permit.

Opening day tickets at A-Basin are currently available online for $50.99, with discounts available for children and seniors. An even better deal, especially if you plan to ski on pricier peak season days, is the four-pack available for $189. This gets you four unrestricted days of skiing during the season. Child's four-packs are available for those ages 6-14 at $119.

Loveland Ski Area to Open on Saturday

Not to be (too) outdone by nearby A-Basin in the annual race to open first, Loveland Ski Area will also open this weekend at 8:30am on Saturday with two feet of snow from Mother Nature — and a little extra help from the machines. Chet’s Dream, the new high speed lift, opens on Oct. 20 with access to Catwalk, Mambo and Home Run available. Chet's Dream will be open from top-to-bottom with an 18-inch base.

Early season lift tickets at Loveland are $65 for adults and $31 for children 6-14. However, you could also get an even better "4-Pak" than A-Basin. The Loveland packs are just $169 for four lift tickets can be used by the same person or shared among multiple people on any day of the 2018-2019 ski season. You need to order your Loveland 4-Paks by Nov. 18, 2018.

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Stay Near the Snow on Points

If you are looking for a points-friendly lodging option near both Loveland and A-Basin, check out the Hyatt Place Keystone located about five miles from A-Basin and 13 miles from Loveland. That property becomes an even sweeter deal at 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night once the family-friendly Keystone Resort opens (currently set for Nov. 9), but it also isn't a bad choice when doing early season skiing at A-Basin or Loveland.

Hyatt Place Keystone. (Photo by Summer Hull / The Points Guy)

When rates are lower, such as during the early season, paid rates may be the better play so you can earn points to use when rates increase during peak ski season (be sure and check for this offer).

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.