This is the first ski resort to open in North America. This season is in Colorado, and it’s already epic.

It’s shaping up to be a historic year for Keystone, Colorado. The mountain community signed on to become Colorado’s newest city in February 2024 and is making headlines for the upcoming debut of the luxurious Kindred Resort in December 2025. And as of October 25, the ski lifts are spinning, making Keystone Resort the first ski area in North America to open for the 2025/2026 ski season.

The news is important because it is the first time since 1997 that Keystone is the first ski area to open in North America. Every fall, Colorado’s high-elevation ski areas compete to be the first to open the honor in what has become a race dictated by weather and snowmaking conditions. This year, Keystone surpassed Arapahoe Basin Ski Areathe typical winner, for a single day.

“We are thrilled to kick off the season here at Keystone with over two miles of skiing and biking,” Keystone Resort Vice President and General Manager Shannon Buhler said in a Press release of October 25. “We know how much this moment means to our employees and the community, and our team has put their hearts into creating an incredible early opening celebration. We’re excited to get back on the snow!”

For its opening Saturday, Keystone skiers enjoyed two miles of freshly groomed terrain on the Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon trails. The mountain remained open into the evening, with skiers spinning under the lights. Keystone typically stays open until mid-April.

When fully open, Keystone offers over 3,000 skiable acres It is accessed by 21 chairlifts and 140 ski slopes. It is known for its welcoming and family atmosphere, with land that “grows with you.” There’s a good mix of beginner, intermediate and expert terrain, with expert (black diamond) offerings making up 49 percent of the ski area.

what’s new in town Related resortwhich will open restaurants and public spaces in December and overnight reservations in mid-January, is expected to transform the Keystone Resort base area. The ski-in/ski-out hotel is steps from the River Run Gondola in the heart of the ski town’s River Run Village. Kindred has 107 guest rooms, 95 residences and three restaurants, including Keystone’s first sushi restaurant. The hotel features a heated pool, kids’ club, and full-service spa, plus more than a dozen outdoor fire pits perfect for gathering after a day on the slopes.

Keystone Resort is part of the Epic Pass family, offering unlimited skiing at Keystone and over 90 ski areas around the world. The full price of the Epic Pass is currently $1,121while the Keystone Plus Pass, which offers unlimited access to Keystone, five days at Crested Butte, and spring skiing at Breckenridge, costs $457. Children under 12 ski free at Keystone. All Epic prices will increase on November 16.

Keystone Resort is one of the closest ski areas to Denver International Airport (DEN) and the trip typically takes just over 1.5 hours.