Arapahoe Basin Resort announced that Sunday will mark the official start to the Colorado ski and snowboard season. Early-season snow, low temperatures and snowmaking upgrades will allow A-Basin to open four days earlier than last season. The Black Mountain Express lift will start at 8:30 a.m. to shuttle guests to the top of the intermediate High Noon trail at midmountain.

Skier services that will start opening day include ski and board rentals, dining at Black Mountain Lodge at midmountain and in the A-Frame at the Legends Cafe, and retail sales in Arapahoe Sports. The $1 million renovation to A-Basin’s popular Sixth Alley Bar is projected to last until late 2013, but a temporary bar will be set up in the A-Frame lodge.

Current lift-ticket window pricing will run through Dec. 20, with adult (ages 19-59) full-day tickets priced at $67, youth (ages 15-18) window tickets priced at $55, and child (ages 6-14) window tickets priced at $32.