Snow Blast Is Pounding Colorado Ski Resorts: Can You Say 'Mo?'

A big snow blast is pounding down on Colorado, and covering the slopes of the state's ski resorts (10/28/09). Winter storm warnings have been issued across most of the state with this big storm expected to continue through Thursday (10/29/09). Schools throughout the state are closed, airlines are adjusting flight schedules, and snowplows are revved up. It's great momentum for the ski areas as many approach opening day in less than a month.

Arctic air and subzero temperatures with big winds are not typical for October. Ski areas are taking advantage of it, as resorts are getting upwards of two feet of snow and conditions are ideal for snowmaking.

David Roth at Copper Mountain told OnTheSnow.com, "Everything that we can get from Mother Nature helps our snowmaking. With the cooler temperatures, this just means Copper is able to blow more snow." Roth expects the storms to continue on and off through the Halloween weekend.

Steamboat's Loryn Kasten says, "The forecast is calling for up to a foot of accumulation on top of Mt. Werner. The cold temperatures, combined with the natural snowfall and moisture in the air, make ideal conditions for snowmaking, and our crews plan to utilize the forecast by making snow 24 hours a day."

Snowmaking is also going strong at Vail, thanks to the added help from Mother Nature and the colder than average temperatures this week, according to spokesperson Amy Kemp. Timing is perfect for Keystone which opens Nov. 6, and Breckenridge, which opens Nov. 12.

Locals who live at a Rocky Mountain ski resort adjust accordingly. Grocery stores get a run on milk and bread in case delivery trucks can't get through. Residents rush to get the snow tires put on, haul the snowblower out of storage and fill it up with gas, pull out the winter snow boots, and prepare to hunker down. Winter is here. "Mo-Mentum" has arrived.