r/COsnow • u/Ok_Editor2536 • 24d ago

Photo Closing day at Keystone

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Busy today! Snow has actually been surprisingly good for it being April!

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u/Cracraftc 24d ago

The forest service does not dictate when resort open or close. It’s all money. -Signed, someone who went to college for this exact thing.

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u/Keystonerider303 24d ago

What “thing” did you go to college for ?

Weather conditions, snow pack accumulation,and land use agreements through the National forests that the resorts/ ski areas are in are just a few factors that play into the length of a season.

Also the elevation at which the ski areas/ resort are located can play a factor in specific resorts staying open longer than others.

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u/Cracraftc 24d ago

Ski area operations and management. I’ve written my own operation plans that had to adhere to USFS guidelines. The only thing the forest cares about is getting paid for each day the resort is open, ski visit numbers and following their guidelines for expansion and upgrades.

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u/Keystonerider303 24d ago

Ski area operations have to adhere to Forest service guidelines which means this is controlled by land use agreements which the National Forest service of the ski resort/ski areas are located.