Georgetown, CO – The race for the first ski resort in the U.S. to open for the season is on. Colorado’s Loveland Ski Area, perennially locked into a battle with neighboring Arapahoe Basin for the title of first to open, began snowmaking efforts last night. But don’t wax your skis or board just yet.nThat’s because warm, dry weather is expected to move back into the Rocky Mountains for the next week or more.

Loveland’s effort began a day after Mother Nature left a dusting of natural white stuff on Loveland’s slopes. Not to be outdone, Loveland Ski Area snowmaking crews took advantage of the cold temperatures last night and complemented the natural snowfall with a few man-made flakes of their own.

“We have been eager to get things started,” said Eric Johnstone, Snowmaking & Trail Maintenance Manager at Loveland. “When the humidity dropped last night, we were able to fire up the guns and put some snow on the ground.”

Loveland’s snowmaking crews started making snow around 4:00 a.m. this morning in their first effort to get the trails Catwalk, Mambo and Homerun covered for opening day 2010, which is planned for some time in mid-October.

“Now there is some snow on our trails to match the snow on the peaks,” said John Sellers, Marketing Director. “Once the snow guns start buzzing you know that a new season is just around the corner. Check your edges and find your gloves because we are going to be skiing and riding in a few short weeks.”

Johnstone added that ski area crews will continue to make snow as temperatures and humidity permit.