The most up-to-date information for Summit County

Kicking off the celebration of Breckenridge opening week, the “Find Ullr,” promotion has the infamous snow god popping up in various Denver landmarks starting Saturday.

Clues about Ullr’s location will be posted daily on Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Facebook page. The promotion extends through Nov. 8.

The first person to find him will secure a lift ticket opening day and ride first chair with Ullr, according to Alysa Hetze, spokeswoman for the resort.

“We chose Denver as the place where Ullr is going to be to drum up the excitement for opening day,” Hetze said. “Anyone can participate but they have to be in Denver to track him down. This is a great way to encourage people to drive up from the Front Range for opening day.”

According to Breckenridge officials, Ullr is logically a Summit County local and the Norse god of snow and northern lands.

“Ullr loved the cold as well as traversing the county on his skis or skates,” according to the Breckenridge town website. “One of the Norseman’s favorite travels would lead him to Breckenridge where he would bless the town’s mountains with some of the world’s finest snow.”

Breckenridge Ullr tradition withstands

In its 50th year, starting one year after Breckenridge Ski Resort’s first season, Ullr Fest debuts Jan. 6-12.

“It’s a wacky winter festival that’s taken place since 1963 by the Peak 8 ski school,” Hetze said. “You can expect a lot of people to be dressed up in Viking gear and hoping for snow.”

The festival, designed to be a cabin-fever-reliever, features a series of competitions called the Ullympic Games ending with Ullr enthusiasts decking out for the Ullr Parade.

During the annual fest in Breck, horned Viking hats adorned the heads of skiers and snowboarders, Ullympic competitors flung frying pans for prizes, and more than 12,000 Ullr enthusiasts filled the streets for the Ullr Parade last year, according to Hetze.

“The finding Ullr promotion will really get people excited for the 50th anniversary of the festival,” Hetze said. “Ullr is a great piece of folk lore that appeals to our culture in Breckenridge and Summit County.”

— Paige Blankenbuehler

Summit County and Front Range commuter skiers are in for a double dose of ski area opening days today as Copper Mountain and Keystone Resort debut their slopes to the public.

Chairlifts for Copper and Keystone depart at 9 a.m. today to kick off the start to the 2012-2013 season.

The two resorts are offering free food, entertainment, and chances to win prizes to mark the start of the opening weekend.

What to expect at Copper

Copper is opening with the Main Vein, Rhapsody and Easy Rider trails offering top-to-bottom skiing. Access to all trails will be via the American Eagle Lift.

Free koozies will be given to the first 100 skiers in line at Copper Mountain, giving them drink specials all day long at Endo’s Adrenaline Cafe.

“We can’t wait to see all of the excited season pass holders that are able to get out of work for the first day of the season,” said Austyn Williams, spokeswoman for Copper Mountain. “There’s always an energy among everyone, and having the bragging rights of being there on the first day of the season and seeing the first chair go up the mountain is really a sense of pride among a lot of our guests. We’re embracing all of that.”

The first chair privilege at Copper’s Mountain’s opening are reserved every year for Frank Walter, an owner and skier at the resort since the 1970s. Walter, who’s been called “Father Time,” in a Warren Miller film he was featured in, skied every single day of the 2011-2012 season at 89 years old.

“He’s a personality that truly encompasses not only Copper’s history, but Copper’s spirit,” Williams said.

The Keystone kickoff

Keystone kicks off the season today with top-to-bottom skiing available on the Spring Dipper and River Run trails, offering intermediate skiing. For those wanting to ease into the season or are learning for the first time, Keystone’s Endeavor trail learning area with carpet lift will be open.

On the other side of the spectrum, Keystone’s A51 Terrain Park will be open with 25 features accessed by its own chairlift.

“We’re excited to begin another season,” said Laura Parquette, spokeswoman for the resort. “Our snow makers, groomers and terrain park teams have done an amazing job preparing the snow and we can’t wait to let people enjoy it.”

Keystone’s newest product also kicks off today. All kids 12 years old and younger ski for free with the purchase of two or more night’s lodging at the ski area’s accommodations.

“This is the industry’s most unrestrictive pass,” Parquette said. “There are no blackout dates, giving families the freedom to take advantage of the deal during holidays and weekends.”

Opening day guests will also be able to take advantage of free hot chocolate, coffee and warm donuts from Keystone’s pastry chef Ned Archibald at the base of the River Run Gondola.

“It’s going to be really special,” Parquette said. “Our chef is world class and we really want to treat our guests on this exciting day.”

Another added bonus: The first 100 skiers in line are entered into a raffle to win various prizes, with the grand prize being a special GoPro prize pack.