Skiers and riders are taking turns at Arapahoe Basin. The mountain opened Oct. 10, the earliest opening at A-Basin in its 61-year history. First in line and on the chair, Tom Miller, Nate Dogg, and Jeff Meyer. It's the 13th year in a row that the three snowboarders have been first to take turns. Right behind them were 1,000 or so others who were willing to share half of the High Noon intermediate run that was open. This isn't a day to teach the kids to ski on the bunny slopes. It's a day you'll find the heartiest of souls steering clear of their fellow skiers and boarders, fitting in a few turns with a few hundred of their happy friends. Loveland opened less than a week later, but with promising reports of snow-covered terrain thanks to the big weekend winter storm. (This is a picture of a terrain park box that is ready to go.) The resort reports there is no need to worry about rocks and bare spots on Catwalk, Mambo, and Home Run. All three runs are open with top-to-bottom, side-to-side coverage and a base depth of 18 inches or more. Services available at Loveland include rentals, repairs, sports shop, and the cafeteria. Child care will be opening Nov. 1 and the Ski School is scheduled to start giving lessons Nov. 17.