SOUTH FORK—Just over 25 inches of snow fell last weekend on Wolf Creek Ski resort and allowed the mountain to be the first in the country to open their gates and begin the 2018-19 ski season. According to sources, this is only the second time the resort has been able to open in October in its long history and ski resort officials are very pleased with the results.
Saturday, Oct. 13 marked a day in history for the resort as they fired up three lifts and opened their slopes to more than 1,000 people who ventured to the area to enjoy the first few days of fresh powder. Out of all the resorts in Colorado, Wolf Creek was the first to open the season after a massive snow storm dropped almost 30 inches. The resort reported “early season conditions with obstacles” and opened the Treasure Stoke, Bonanza and Nova Lifts for early skiers.
The resort has been working on the new Charity Lift over the summer, in hopes of having it up and running by the time the entire mountain opens in November. The Charity Lift was named after previous owner and mother to current owners, Rosanne and Davey Pitcher. The new addition is a Doppelmayr high-speed, detachable quad chairlift. Crews were able to start concrete work in the last few weeks on the top and bottom terminals and had the help of a helicopter over the weekend that brought materials up to the lift’s location.
One of the second largest capital improvements during the off-season was the purchase and implementation of department modules through the current RTP Point-of-Sale technology used in the ticket office. With the computerized system implemented and launched during the start of the 2017-18 ski season in the ticket office, all departments will now be on the same program. A mountain wide POS will offer guests a more fluid and efficient visit to Wolf Creek through RTP. The ski area has chosen to offer the highest level of security through RTP in all credit card transactions through an encrypted tokenization.
Finishing touches on the Lynx Lift and Interpretive Center have been taking place this summer as well. Guests enrolled in the First Day Beginner Ski Package will now have the option of purchasing lesson tickets and renting skis in the Interpretive Center, located behind the Sports Center. Offering beginner ski packages and rentals in the Lynx Interpretive Center will simplify novice skiers’ process of getting started for the day. Beginner ski packages purchased on the eStore will now be picked up at the Interpretive Center too. The Beginner Specials will also include access to the Charity Chair, making five beginner lifts available to those enrolled. The eStore will continue to offer all group lessons for any ability level, ages five and older, including Beginner Specials, Wolf Pups, Wolf Riders and Hot Shots. Private lessons will still need to be arranged through the ticket office or booked over the phone because of the many details required.
Wolf Creek Ski Area is celebrating its first-year anniversary of going solar. Wolf Creek has always been a leader in maintaining sustainable business practices by purchasing renewable energy, using biodegradable oils in machinery and having water free restrooms. November 2017, Wolf Creek took a big step and became the first solar-powered ski area. The first-year anniversary of Wolf Creek having its main source of energy come from the Penitente Solar Project in the San Luis Valley is to be celebrated.
The 2018-19 ski season will be the 13th season Wolf Creek has used a form of renewable energy year-round for 100 percent of the mountain. Wolf Creek continues to maintain its logging program in cooperation with the forest service to cut and clean dead beetle kill in an affordable manner.
The resort is currently open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to purchase a ticket or season pass please visit www.wolfcreekski.com.