Steamboat Resort will not open this Saturday. Instead, opening day will be Nov. 27. There just isn’t enough snow.

Loryn Duke from the ski area says by this date, they usually have 200 hours of snowmaking already. Right now, they’ve only been able to do eight hours of snowmaking.

The ski area wants your help, though. They want to see your snow making superstitions that might help open up the mountain with snow covered slopes as soon as possible.

That’s #SteamboatSnowDance. Feel free to post them on our Facebook page, too.

 

Here is the full release from the ski area.

After an unseasonably warm fall and only 26 inches of snow since October 1, Steamboat Ski Resort has delayed its opening day to November 27.

“Anyone who has been in Steamboat, or has been anxiously watching our mountain cameras, knows that mother nature hasn’t been cooperating this pre-season,” said Dave Hunter, vice president of resort operations for Steamboat Ski Resort. “Normally this time of year we have more than 20 inches of snowfall- that has remained (not melted), a 10-20 inch mid-mountain base and 200 hours of snowmaking under our belt. This year we haven’t been able to capitalize on extended snowmaking temperatures and windows, with only 8 hours of total snowmaking.  While our mountain crews have done an incredible job of pulling every magic trick out of the hat, reality is that our slopes are not ready to welcome skiers and riders.”

 

Extended forecasts are calling for favorable snowmaking conditions starting later this week with wet bulb temperatures expected to be around 18-22 degrees. With ideal snowmaking conditions (12-18 degrees, coupled with low humidity), the Steamboat snowmaking and grooming crews can make 18-24″ inches of snow on over 30+ acres in 5 days. We think the long range forecast for later this week into next week will be more favorable and allow our crews to jump into action- making Nov. 27 a realistic opening day.

 

Guests who have reservations between Nov 20 and Nov 26 should contact Steamboat Central Reservations to discuss their specific reservations. Credits will be available for resort products including lift tickets, rentals and SnowSports School reservations; lodging will be dependent on which property a guest is booked through.

 

We are ready to welcome the 2021/22 winter season, and whenever mother nature decides to cooperate we’ll be ready to jump into action.