Loveland Pass, CO – Colorado’s lofty Loveland Pass is home to two of the world’s highest ski resorts, one on each side of the Continental Divide. And as has happened annually in recent years, each is fighting for the title of first ski area to open in North America.nThis friendly rivalry between Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin has quite a history. Loveland won the race for seven consecutive seasons, from 1999 to 2005. Arapahoe Basin mounted a successful challenge to take the title in 2006 and 2007, before both resorts tied in 2008. Loveland regained the title last year, for the 2009-10 season.

The ski areas’ high altitude and dry Rocky Mountain air enhance the conditions necessary for making snow. Each resort typically opens on a single congested strip of manmade snow from the top of one lower mountain lift that’s derided by some as the “white ribbon of death.” Although temperatures have been cold enough at night atop Loveland Pass to make snow, an unseasonably warm October has thus far hampered efforts to make snow around the clock, delaying the start of the ski season in Colorado this year. This week’s forecast predicts temperatures lower than in recent weeks at mountain resorts, including some days and nights predicted to drop below freezing with snow showers, while a significant weather pattern change to more winter-like conditions may be in the works for early next week.

Once open, both resorts plan to stay open for the entire 2010-11 season. Colorado has one of the longest ski seasons in the country with resorts that typically open early in the fall and stay open until late spring. To date, Loveland, Arapahoe Basin and Copper Mountain Resort have all been making heavy use of their snowmaking equipment as other Colorado resorts are preparing for snowmaking as conditions permit.

There’s some debate regarding the title of first to open, however, as Timberline Ski Area in Oregon operates year-round on a permanent snowfield on Mt. Hood. Timberline counts the start of each season when the lifts resume annually following a two week maintenance shutdown in late September.