Summit County, Colo. (Ski Press)-Breckenridge and Keystone Resorts opened Friday for the 2008-2009 ski season, giving skiers and riders more reasons than ever to celebrate the official beginning of  ski season. Thanks to a remarkable effort of the Breckenridge and Keystone snowmaking teams and a little help from Mother Nature’s snowfall, both resorts opened with top-to-bottom skiing.

Keystone opened Spring Dipper and Lower River Run Trails with features of its A51 Terrain Park on Spring Dipper. Breckenridge Ski Resort opened with top- to-bottom skiing on Springmeier off the Colorado SuperChair on Peak 8.  
 
While the opening of Peak 8 first is a departure from recent history, it was the traditional opening before Peak 9 opened in 1981, and the original ski resort in Breckenridge was called the Peak 8 Ski Resort. But, don’t think this return to its roots is just nostalgic – it’s to prepare for the newest and largest event Breckenridge Ski Resort has ever hosted.
 
“Opening Peak 8 first this year gives our mountain operations team every advantage to prepare the mountain and venue for our largest event ever, the AST Winter Dew Tour. The Winter Dew Tour co-sponsored by the Town of Breckenridge, BRC, runs from December 18 – 21, will feature freeskiing and snowboarding disciplines for both men and women with over three hours of live coverage on NBC, two hours on the USA network and four hours on MTV and MTV2,” said Lucy Kay, chief operations officer for Breckenridge Ski Resort.
 
Vail, Beaver Creek and Heavenly Opening Soon. Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts are scheduled to open on November 21 and 26 respectively.

Photo credit: Aaron Dodds/Breckenridge Resort