Ski Season: Opening Day 2013

The Telluride Ski Resort opens Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28. Locals are excited about what looks like a great opening.

With a 39” base and 75” so far this season, conditions are looking good. Locals hope the snow continues and that 2014 turns out to be a year of good turns.

Passes can be purchased at the ticket offices in Mountain Village at the bottom of the Gondola and at Coonskin at the bottom of Chair 7 in the town of Telluride.

Season passes can also be purchased online this year.

Adult passes are now $1950 online, and $475 for children ages 6-12. Junior season passes (ages 13-18) are $675.

Options for senior passes and young adult pricing also exist at $1350.

And, as always many local businesses offer ski passes complimentary as part of their benefits package.

The folks working the pass office say they are swamped.

Manager Tom Watkinson, Public Relations and Communications Manager at Telski, was unavailable for commentary, probably because he’s dealing with the intense busyness of opening day.

Many locals this year are participating in Donation Day. Donation Day occurs the day before the official opening of the ski resort. All proceeds go to the Telluride Ski and Snowboard Club in Telluride. This tradition is a benefit to the organization who relies on Donation Day as one of its major fundraisers.

Telluride local Rob Petrie, the town barber, said, “I don’t usually do Donation Day, but this year, it’s looking so good I think I will. Last year, my boys and I had first chair for the opening of the season.” Petrie, whose children participate in Telluride Ski and Snowboard Club, said his oldest son, a snowboarder, was recently sponsored by Never Summer.

Many local retailers are experiencing heavy traffic, as locals come in and get new equipment, ski tunes, and waxes. Some deals exist on older skis and snowboards for people who have waited until this week.

Parents seem to be making last minute purchases, as children who frequently outgrow things from season to season need new gear or bigger skis. One local mom said, “I just had to buy new skis a few days ago for my daughter. We took her skis in to get the bindings adjusted for new boots, and discovered the bindings were no good. It was cheaper to just get new skis and bindings. She’s happy, but we hope we get them back for Thursday, because she’s beyond ready to go skiing. She cares more about skiing than the turkey dinner.”

Telluride School students are out of school the entire week for the Thanksgiving holiday, and many will be skiing opening day.

Local retailer Eric K., said, “Every store is slammed. Everyone’s excited. It’s the holiday season and we’re getting ready for skiing. The off-season blahs are over, and we’re ready to have some fun.”

Telluriders are waiting patiently, or not so patiently, to hear just what will be open on Thursday. While most are expecting Chairs, 4, 5, and 6 to be running, the official opening of the mountain has yet to be announced.