Arapahoe Basin has officially opened for the 17-18 season. The shenanigans began on Friday the 13th with the most epic conditions possible for a mid-October opening. Throughout the day the warm weather was able to soften the infamous 'white ribbon of death' from an icy sheet into beautiful, forgiving slush. While there were undeniably a lot of people on the runs, there was still plenty to be stoked about. Ski patrollers didn't pull passes, the rail setups were lit and did I mention it's only October and WE GET TO SKI? So quit complaining you wankers. Grab your skis, crush some cans and get out there for some early season turns. Stop sounding like a crusty old-timer who whines that young punks are ruinin' skiing and become that young punk who ruins skiing.

Photo by David Camara

I get it, lift lines suck. But unless you've been living under a rock, you already know that opening day is synonymous long lift-lines and an exorbitant number of jerrys. But hey, their day passes are the reason your season pass is cheap, so suck it up. If not, your salty-self can stay at home this fall while everyone else cruises hot laps or hikes the park. I don't know about the rest of you, but I haven't thrown on my skis since June. A little extra effort for some slushy snow slidin' doesn't sound like a bad trade-off at this point.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaVDeZWhkNX/

The park itself had five features that you could jib, slide and tap till closing. Many have called it the best early season park they've seen at Abasin.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaVMjPyAeX9/

Hate it or love it, the opening of Abasin arguably marks the turning point in the season, the arrival of a long-awaited winter. It's like the solstice of ski resorts. Time to wash away that crusty attitude and thank the ski patrollers, snowmakers and park crew at Abasin for working to get the lifts open and building terrain enjoyable for you. Even thank the damn lifties who put up with way too much bullshit without nearly enough credit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaNEBKTHpNy/

Whether you love Abasin or bitch about it, can we all agree it's time to get hyped for the upcoming winter? Looks like Loveland is slated to open next in Coloradom while Timberline has already begun their lift operations on the weekends. If you couldn't already tell, winter is right around the corner.

Cover photo by David Camara of Jack Stys

Hate Colorado? Read this instead.