Week of October 12, 2026
The first snow of the season is in the forecast
The Fraser forecast has snow in it this week for the first time this season. Rain and snow showers are likely Tuesday night, with snow showers Wednesday morning and likely again Thursday before noon. The amounts are small, under an inch overnight Wednesday and less than half an inch on either side of it, so think dusting rather than dump.
The temperature swing is the bigger change. Monday opens near 64, about nine degrees above the October average high of 54.9, and then the floor drops: a high near 45 Wednesday, near 47 Thursday, and an overnight low of 18 Thursday night. Friday and Saturday come back sunny, 54 and 58. Pack a real coat and something waterproof, not just a fleece. Our wood stove is ready for exactly this kind of week.
Up at the resort it is still all zeros. Winter Park's Mountain Report read zero inches of season snowfall and a zero inch base Monday morning, with 0 of 24 lifts and 0 of 171 trails open. Opening day for 2026-27 is still listed only as soon as possible, with no date attached. New this winter: lifts will open at 8am on Saturdays and Sundays, December 5 to April 4.
The aspen window is closing too. Peak color here runs mid September to mid October, so this week sits on its back edge. If Trail Ridge Road is on your list, the park had it open to through travel with timed entry required 9am to 2pm when its roads page was updated October 6, and the park says it does not post status changes there. Call the recorded status line before you commit to the drive.