The biggest name in Colorado skiing is turning the page on the historically dry winter that was and looking ahead to a much-anticipated forecast.

Said Bill Rock, president of Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division, in a news release Tuesday: “While no one can predict exactly what Mother Nature will deliver, the possibility of blockbuster snowfall has us feeling optimistic about the winter ahead. And while we’d love to see Super El Niño live up to the hype, we’re also taking an aggressive approach to snowmaking to ensure this ski season is one to remember.”

The statement came as the company announced opening dates for the 2026-27 season, including its flagship resort and other go-to destinations in Colorado.

Enhanced snowmaking has made Keystone Resort a top contender to kick off the season in North America, as it did last year. Once again, the aim is to welcome guests as soon as possible in October. (Arapahoe Basin, a member of Vail Resorts’ competing Ikon Pass, has the same goal.)

Breckenridge is slated to open Nov. 6, followed by Vail on Nov. 13. Beaver Creek and Crested Butte are scheduled for Nov. 25.

Vail Resorts’ Tuesday announcement also came with a reminder of Epic Pass prices going up soon.

Sept. 7 is the last day to secure the fullest access at $1,119 for adults. The Epic Local Pass is at $829, while Vail Resorts is continuing major military discounts: $220 for active and retired members and their dependents; $633 for veterans and their dependents.

Pass-holders will indeed hope for snow like Vail Resorts brass, who last season reported a 14.9% year-to-year drop in visits across its North American destinations amid what the company described as “record low snowfall and historically bad temperatures.”

Could a strong El Niño reverse fortunes? Forecasters have been tracking a potentially record-breaking phenomenon, including 9NEWS meteorologist Chris Bianchi.

“The El Niño hype, I get it,” he said in a recent post. “But that does not directly translate to a snowy winter in Colorado.”

While detailing scientific factors and the state’s tricky place in the middle of the continent, “you need a lot of things to take place, a domino effect of weather to take place,” he explained.

“But I would say there’s two definitives,” he concluded. “Number one, our odds for a snowier than average winter I would still say overall are higher than average. And number two … we’re going to see some really active weather across the globe and perhaps some really weird weather as well.”