On Friday, Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin became the first ski resort in North America to open its doors for the winter season. The ski area is the highest in the state and is commonly one of the first to open each year.

A-Basin began making snow on October 2, which was supplemented by about a foot of natural snow that began to fall over the last few weeks. The ski area was able to open the Black Mountain Express lift, which allowed visitors access to the High Noon run.

“People really want to go skiing and riding and it’s as simple as that,” A-Basin CEO Alan Henceroth told The Denver Post. “Just look around and see all the people having fun and out here today.”

A-Basin also opened on October 17 in 2012, and opened a few days earlier last year, on October 13. For those who are planning a visit, tickets are $69 for adults, $57 for youths, and $34 for children through December 19.

Image courtesy of Keflavich/Wikimedia Commons