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KEYSTONE, Colo. (KDVR) — Snowmaking is underway for the 2020-2021 season at Keystone Resort. It is using new, state-of-the art machines.

With 53 automated fan guns, 10 air water tower guns, 11,000 feet of pipe and almost 15 miles of electrical wire, Keystone’s snowmaking operation is large.

“This is a full, resort-wide effort. We have our snowmaking teams, we have people prepping the mountain, our ski patrol is working on getting everything ready to go, so it’s all across the board,” said Loryn Roberson, a Keystone Resort spokesperson. 

The snow makers are high-tech. They monitor the weather and turn themselves on and off according to optimum snowmaking conditions.

“These things are incredibly intelligent, and do it on their own,” said Roberson.

Snowmaking operations begin at the top of the mountain and progress toward the base.

And the cost of such an enterprise? Ski resorts normally don’t share that information. But the early bird, however, gets the worm.

Arapahoe Basin, meanwhile, started making snow on Sept. 28.

Arapahoe Basin says it won’t require pass holders to get reservations for upcoming ski season 

Last year, Arapahoe Basin became the first ski resort in North America to open for the season, narrowly beating out Keystone by opening on Friday, Oct. 11.