Every October and November, a peculiar tradition unfolds across North American resorts. Mountains fire up snowmaking systems, blast manmade snow onto a single trail, and thousands of snowboarders make the pilgrimage to ride what the community calls the “white ribbon of death.” It’s narrow. It’s crowded. It’s scraped to ice by noon. And it’s absolutely glorious. What Is the White Ribbon of Death?The white ribbon of death (WROD) refers to the solitary run resorts open during early season - a corridor of artificial snow often no wider than 30-50 feet. Despite marginal conditions, it draws massive crowds of snow-starved riders. Snowboarders of every ability level converge on this narrow path. Tentative beginners struggle down their first run while aggressive experts carve like it’s a racecourse. Add in rocks beneath thin coverage and snow guns blasting at full force, and you understand why “death” made it into the nickname. The Race to Open: Where It Goes Down FirstColorado dominates early-season openings. The state has opened at least one resort in October every year since 1992. For 2025/2026, Keystone opened October 25 with A-Basin following October 26. A-Basin’s parking lot transforms into a legendary tailgate party. Loveland and Winter Park typically follow within days. Vermont’s Killington earned its “Beast of the East” nickname through early openings - as early as October 1st four times (1985, 1992, 1993, 1997). Beware of the Joeys. Canadian resorts in Alberta compete directly with Colorado. Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise typically open early November, while Whistler Blackcomb opens late November.
What Riding the Ribbon Actually Feels LikeLines form hours before opening. At A-Basin, tailgates commence before sunrise. The first run feels magical and you’re shredding on snow again. Then reality sets in. Thousands of riders funnel down a path barely wider than a residential street. Snow guns blast from the sides. By 10 AM, the center scrapes to ice; by noon, chunky moguls line the edges. Rocks are everywhere. Coverage is thin - 18-24 inches of manmade chunder snow over dirt. Core shots are common. Beware of the sharks (and the kooks). Making It Through Opening DayBring your rock board. This is not the day for your pristine all-mountain setup. Dig out that beat-up deck you’ve been meaning to retire. CAPiTA’s Black Snowboard of Death was literally designed for this - an affordable, durable board built to take the abuse that opening day dishes out. Core shots are inevitable, so sacrifice something you won’t cry about. Dial back the aggression. Breaking yourself on day one could end your season before it begins. Save the hero moves for January when coverage is deep and your body is conditioned. Ride mellow, stay in control, and remember you’ve got 100+ days ahead if you don’t wreck yourself in November. Wax before you go. If you didn’t properly store your board last spring (wax coat in a coffin bag), your base is likely dry and thirsty. Hit it with a fresh wax before opening day. Dry bases on manmade snow create friction that’ll have you stuck mid-run while others cruise past. Take 20 minutes to wax properly and you’ll actually enjoy the laps. Ride switch to extend your day. When your legs start screaming after six laps on your regular stance, flip it and ride switch. It activates different muscles, gives your dominant side a break, and makes each run feel fresh again. Plus, you’ll improve your switch riding before the season really kicks off. Go for afternoon delight. Most pass holders tap out by 1 PM. Show up at 2 or 3 and you’ll find emptier runs, softer snow where the crowds pushed it around, and no lift lines. The morning circus is fun for the scene, but late afternoon is when you actually get quality laps. Dress light. It’s probably 45°F and sunny, not the polar vortex. One base layer and a shell beats sweating through three layers by your second run. You can always add more at the car. Overheating leads to bad decisions and premature exhaustion. It’s also a good idea to wear old outerwear as it can get dirty and muddy in certain zones. Why We Do ItOpening day marks the turning point from off-season to on-season. The white ribbon brings together riders who share a common passion but haven’t seen each other in months. The parking lot conversations matter as much as the riding. Getting on snow early shakes off rust and identifies gear issues before the season hits full stride. After seven months without snow, the white ribbon provides relief, however modest. But mostly, riding the white ribbon demonstrates commitment. Embracing terrible conditions just to get on snow is a badge of authenticity, separating the core from the casual. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. Go shred.
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Kamis, 06 November 2025
The White Ribbon of Death
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