PHOTOS: Snow (and some hail) falls on Colorado resorts

The National Weather Service in Boulder confirmed that snow fell at many Colorado ski resorts in the early hours of Thursday, September 5, unofficially launching preparations for the 2024-25 winter season.

According to National Weather Service meteorologist Chad Gimmestad, Summit County was hit by a mix of hail and snow, but most of the white mass visible on peaks above 12,000 feet is actually snow.

“It was snow,” Gimmestad said. “Some places got a little bit of hail, too. I know there was some in Fairplay and in the foothills west of Denver, so there might have been some in Summit County last night, too. That's real snow up there, above 12,000 feet or so.”

Although the snow is a pleasant sight for avid skiers and snowboarders, the fresh layer of snow is not expected to stick around for long and will most likely melt by the end of the day.

“Most of what fell today will be gone today,” said Gimmestad. “It may stay a little longer up above. Look quickly because it will be gone and it will get warmer again.”