Winter Park will pull off the earliest opening in its 82-year history on Monday when the Grand County resort kicks off its season with at least two lifts in operation and an undetermined number of trails.

Resort spokeswoman Jen Miller said the Gemini and Arrow lifts will be running, beginning at 9 a.m., on Halloween day, serving “a handful” of trails. “Ski patrol is still figuring that (number) out,” Miller said.

Unless another resort jumps ahead in line — which isn’t inconceivable, given the snow totals piling up across the high country — Winter Park will be the third resort in the state to open. Arapahoe Basin opened on Sunday and Keystone opens on Friday.

“We’re super excited to kick this season off in October — on Halloween, no less,” said Winter Park marketing vice president Liz Agostin. “Opening now not only gives skiers and riders another mountain to enjoy early season, but it allows our operations teams to begin working on our enhanced grooming and snow-making, so we can get even more terrain open as soon as conditions allow.”

Operating hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

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