Colorado’s Earliest Snowfalls: When Winter Can't Wait—and Neither Can We

Snow lovers, gather ‘round! If you’re anything like us at ALL SZN, the minute the calendar says September, you’re already staring out the window, waiting for those first magical flakes to fall. We’re talking about the type of anticipation usually reserved for waiting to open gifts on Christmas morning or being the first one in the lift line on a bluebird powder day. Colorado, the land of the mighty Rockies, is no stranger to surprise snowfalls, and we’re here to dive into those legendary early snow days that had winter enthusiasts swapping out their flip-flops for snow boots before they even had a chance to rake up their leaves.

When the Flakes Fly Early: The Colorado Way

Colorado’s mountains are unpredictable, dramatic, and—let's face it—a little bit extra, just the way we like them. While most people are still clinging to the last warmth of summer, Colorado is known to throw a curveball of epic proportions: snow in September. Yes, you heard that right. We’ve seen the white stuff as early as Labor Day weekend, leaving us scrambling to dig out our gear and hit the trails.

The earliest recorded snowfall in Denver? September 3, 1961. That's right, before most people even had a chance to get their kids back to school, the Mile High City was getting a fresh coat of snow. You could say that Colorado doesn’t just flirt with winter—it full-on sends it when the mood strikes.

Snowfall Records That Make Us Smile

Let's not forget September 8, 2020, when Colorado once again reminded us who's boss. After an unusually hot summer with temps still soaring in the 90s, Colorado had enough of the sunshine and decided it was time for a shake-up. Cue a sudden, unexpected snowstorm. Snow in the early days of September had people pulling their skis out of storage, and yes, our crew at ALL SZN was already thinking about our “Blink 180°” goggles and the best retro jackets to break out of the closet.

Another notable early-snow event happened on September 12, 1989, when mountain areas across Colorado got their first dusting. The ski fanatics who didn’t mind a little bit of extra hiking probably strapped in and made some early turns—because in Colorado, even a dusting can be a reason to celebrate.

ALL SZN’s Guide to Early Snow

Why do we love these early snowfalls so much at ALL SZN? Because it’s a sneak peek at what we wait for all year—a sign that snowboarding season and skiing adventures are right around the corner. It’s like when a movie trailer drops for that blockbuster you can’t wait to see. The excitement builds, the buzz grows, and suddenly you’re ready to ride.

We’ve built our entire brand around the idea that snow season isn’t just a time of year—it’s a mindset. We don’t wait for the perfect conditions; we ride whenever, wherever, however. And nothing captures that spirit quite like the excitement of early snow. Colorado’s ability to turn a sunny September afternoon into a winter wonderland overnight embodies everything we stand for: adventure, unpredictability, and, of course, endless powder days.

Early Season Tips from All SZN
So what do you do when those first flakes fly? Here are some tips from us:

1. Layer Like It’s 1995: Colorado’s early snowfalls mean you could be dealing with a mix of winter, fall, and summer in a single day. Embrace your inner 90s child and layer up—all those neon puffies and retro fleece tops aren't just for looks.

2. Scope Out Early-Open Resorts: Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin are often in a neck-and-neck battle to be the first resorts to open in North America. Keep an eye out for those first lifts spinning—sometimes as early as mid-October, if Mother Nature is feeling generous.

3. Wax On: Make sure your board or skis are waxed and ready because early season snow can sometimes be wet and sticky. Plus, having your gear prepped gives you an excuse to spend a few extra minutes in your garage, pretending it's already December.

4. Watch the Weather—Then Ignore It: Colorado’s early snows can come and go as quickly as they arrive. It might snow today, then hit 75 degrees tomorrow. Don’t get discouraged. Here at ALL SZN, we’re all about the mindset: if there’s snow, we’re riding—no matter what.

All SZN: Ready for Snow Whenever It Shows Up

While early snowfalls may be a bit of a tease, they remind us of why we’re here, waiting for that first real powder day with giddy excitement. It’s a call to dust off the gear, strap on our “Blink 180°” goggles, and maybe even sneak in a few early turns—just to say we did it. Colorado’s earliest snowfalls might catch some by surprise, but for us at ALL SZN, it's exactly what we live for: unpredictability, adventure, and riding all season long.

So the next time Fall rolls around and you catch a glimpse of snow in the forecast, you know where to find us. We’ll be the ones on the slopes, throwing it back to the 90s, goggles down, and stoked out of our minds for the start of another epic season. After all, we’re ALL SZN, and we don’t wait for winter—we ride whenever winter shows up.