Snow King and Hogadon Launch Ski Season

Wyoming’s last two ski areas plan to start up their lifts this weekend. Saturday will mark the opening day of the season for the community ski areas in Jackson and Casper.

Snowmaking started up in November at Snow King Mountain, and a new T40 gun added to the coverage. The ski area’s planned opening of Dec. 10 is on track. Chairlifts will open this Saturday for skiing and riding, with the tubing park and rope tow scheduled to open Dec. 17.

Operations at Snow King have been whittled down from previous years. Hours for this winter will shorten with the ski area closed on Mondays. The lifts will open at 10 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday and close Tuesday through Friday at 6:30 p.m. while the weekend closure is at 4 p.m. Lift tickets will be available in full day, half-day, two-hour and three-hour increments.

Night skiing at Snow King will no longer be an option. Photo Courtesy of Snow King Resort.

The ski area's lights used to be visible above the town of Jackson at night. But that will no longer be the case. The ski area will not be offering night skiing this winter.

Hogadon Ski Area is primed to open Saturday, Dec. 10. All lifts are slated to operate, with skiing and riding on all runs except Dreadnaught and its access trails. Tickets will be full price.

The slope crew is planning on making snow on Dreadnaught, but the amount of snow that can be made depends on cold temperatures and water resources. The resort aims to open Dreadnaught as soon as conditions permit.

Hogadon will open for skiing and riding on Dec. 11, too. Then, it will shift to its normal operating schedule of Wednesdays through Sundays.

A special beginner lesson package, now taught under the Casper Mountain Racers, is available on three weekends this winter:  Jan. 14-15, Feb. 11-12 and March 10-11. The package, which costs $35, includes a two-hour group lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment. Call 307-215-4054 for reservations.