Comment on Two Colorado ski resorts now set to open Thursday; a third postpones

It's official: The race to open first will be a tie.Arapahoe Basin Ski Area will open Thursday, joining neighbor Loveland Ski Area as the first of the state's 25 ski areas to begin running lifts."The recent cold weather and currently snowy conditions allow for a tremendous start to the season at Arapahoe Basin," Alan Henceroth, the ski area's CEO, said.The hotly anticipated announcement came a day after favorable weather conditions allowed A-Basin to complete its first 24-hour cycle of snowmaking.Until Tuesday, snowmakers were only able to operate during limited windows when temperature and humidity are conducive to making powder.