Skiers and snowboarders heading out to the slopes in the next week can expect a bit of everything in Summit County.

A snowstorm hitting this weekend is bringing hope for some soft turns before the snowpack turns surfy later in the week. With a heat wave threatening to bring temperatures up to 25 degrees above normal across Colorado next week, spring skiing will be in full effect across Summit County starting Tuesday and into next weekend.

A winter weather advisory issued Friday says between 4-10 inches of snow could accumulate in Summit County between 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday, but OpenSnow reports say it’s more likely that snow totals will be on the lower end of that range.

OpenSnow forecasts say Arapahoe Basin Ski Area and Loveland Ski Area are forecast to receive the most snow with 5 inches each, leaving Keystone Resort with 4 inches, Copper Mountain Resort with 3 inches and Breckenridge Ski Resort with 3 inches.

But a blog post by OpenSnow founder and head meteorologist Joel Gratz points to a complicated forecast setup, where there are upside and downside potentials.

“I continue to think about the upside potential for Saturday night, because the jet stream will be overhead, and temperatures could be in the perfect zone for snowflake formation at some mountains,” he wrote. “Also, there is some downside potential for Saturday night, as colder, drier air could quickly sweep in behind the storm.”

Winds are expected to be gusty, especially at timberline where gusts could hit 65 mph, and there’s potential for snow showers across Summit County and other northern mountains through Tuesday before highs will start climbing above 50 degrees and potentially into the 60s.

Despite the chaotic weather patterns of this low-snow season, resorts are preparing the make the most of the conditions. Here’s the latest terrain updates and special events from the five resorts in and just outside of Summit.

Breckenridge eyes upper Peak 7, its last major zone that remains closed

A snowboarder plows through deep snow at Breckenridge Ski Resort Wednesday, March 11, 2026, following a surprise storm that outproduced forecasts.

Breckenridge Ski Resort/Courtesy photo

Patrollers “have been working hard” and performing snow safety work all week hoping to unlock trails in its upper Peak 7 zone, according to its weekly terrain report.

A surprise storm brought 5 inches to the resort’s snow stake Wednesday morning after a series of significant storms in the past 14 days. The resort’s communications team stated it hopes upper Peak 7 will open this weekend or early next week.

Winds on Friday disrupted lifts and made it harder to get folks around the mountain, but the team plans to provide updates to the public as they get them.

Loveland expands offerings off The Ridge

A skier rides a fresh line on Marmot on March 12, 2026, following a surprise storm that brought 7 inches to the mountain.

Casey Day/Loveland Ski Area

Marmot and Golden Bear opened earlier this week, and patrollers unlocked Primer Bowl, Castle Rock and Jelly Roll on Thursday, bringing The Ridge to 76% open.

The resort picked up 7 inches of surprise snow by Wednesday morning, and guests can expect spring break festivities with Toyota Days, Ski with a Ranger and Free Family Race Day taking place this weekend. The mountain and its Basin patio will also have live music.

A-Basin says its not giving up on Steep Gullies, East Wall

Skiers cruise down the slopes of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, following a storm that brought 7 inches to the mountain’s snowstake.

Lucas Herbert/Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

Still relishing in the opening of Zuma Bowl, crews at A-Basin are continuing to open up more off-piste areas in Zuma where possible. The 14ers opened earlier this week.

Next up would be Steep Gullies and the East Wall.

“With how rocky, steep, and unforgiving this terrain can be, it takes a lot of snow and a ton of patrol work,” communications manager Shayna Silverman stated. “But we’re not throwing in the towel, and we’ll do what we can to get skiers and riders out there.”

In the meantime, A-Basin will have a live DJ at Black Mountain Lodge from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during the Dew Deck this Saturday.

Copper swaps opening terrain with new events

Ten inches of powder is pictured on Copper Mountain Resort’s snowstake on March 7, 2026.

Copper Mountain Resort/Courtesy photo

With only a “handful of trails not in the mix,” Copper Mountain Resort is focusing its attention on new events.

The Red Bull Party Line is debuting on Saturday with a downhill pump track course that will pit competitors against one another in a head-to-head format. Spectators can watch from the Aerie at the top of the American Eagle lift.

Sunday will feature an Aerie Sunset Ski event, which will return on Saturday March 21. After-hour skiing will be available between 4-7 p.m. on those dates off the American Eagle and Excelerator lifts. The event will see Joel Lotito & Ale...

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