GEORGETOWN, Colo.—Loveland Ski Area opened for the winter season on Wednesday, its earliest opening day in 40 years.
The ski area about 50 miles west of Denver is believed to be the first resort to open in the U.S., but not by much. The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort also opened Wednesday, four hours after Loveland.

The trade group National Ski Areas Association isn't aware of any other resorts that have opened already.

Colorado ski areas have taken advantage of recent cold weather to start making snow early.

More than 100 people were in line when the lifts began moving at 9 a.m. at Loveland. Ski area spokesman John Sellers says a handful of skiers even camped in the parking lot overnight for the chance to ride the first chair on the lift.

Snowboarder Jesse Csincsak of Breckenridge, the winner of the fourth-season of "The Bachelorette," was among the three people in the first chair up the mountain. He arrived at 3 p.m. Tuesday to secure the spot.

"It's been a dream of mine for 10 years, and now it's about to become reality," he said.

The crowd counted down from 10 and then the lift started moving.

Arapahoe Basin often vies with Loveland to be the first Colorado ski area to open. It intends to open Friday, its earliest start ever. It plans to open some of the features in its terrain park in addition to one run.