May snowstorm dumps up to 14 inches on Colorado’s ski resorts and closes highway

(Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) staff photo
Andrew Kenney
Loveland Ski Area at 8:30 a.m. on May 3, 2018. (Courtesy Loveland Ski Area)

Loveland Ski Area at 8:30 a.m. on May 3, 2018. (Courtesy Loveland Ski Area)

The rainstorms that are soaking Denver also delivered a late-season surprise to some of Colorado’s ski resorts.

Winter Park Resort reported 10 inches of new snow last night, with up to 7 inches more expected today. Arapahoe Basin and Loveland also had significant new snow.

With snow piling up in the mountains, the Colorado Department of Transportation reported a full closure of Interstate 70 near Vail and at about 7:30 this morning.

The storm has even forced meteorologist Joel Gratz to briefly reawaken his OpenSnow blog after closing it down for the season on April 23.

“We usually get a few more big snows in May. Sometimes we get them in June,” Arapahoe Basin posted on its blog. “Some of the best powder days happen in May. Very cool.”

Snowfall could continue in the mountains through midday today, especially about 7,000 feet of elevation, according to the National Weather Service. In Denver, the rain could continue all day.

This weekend, Denver will return to the 70s — because, why not?

Loveland Ski Area at 8:30 a.m. on May 3, 2018. (Courtesy Loveland Ski Area)

Loveland Ski Area at 8:30 a.m. on May 3, 2018. (Courtesy Loveland Ski Area)

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