Arapahoe Basin, CO – Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Colorado kicked off its 70^th season this morning, spinning first chair on the Black Mountain Express lift at 9 a.m. as the first ski resort in North America to open for 2016-17.

Over 3,000 happy skiers and snowboarders took their laps of the season on A-Basin’s intermediate High Noon run. Recent snowmaking efforts allowed High Noon to open with what resort officials are calling one of the widest and best snow surfaces it has ever had for opening day, and snowmakers took advantage of the temps to start snowmaking on Ramrod, which will be the next run to open.

Video: Colorado Tourism Office

Arapahoe Basin will continue to operate for skiing and snowboarding seven days a week through closing day, and will open terrain as snowmaking and Mother Nature allow. A-Basin has Colorado’s longest ski and ride season; the ski area plans to remain open until early June.

Nearby Loveland Ski Area plans to open sometime next week.