Last week's dusting of powder in the Denver metro area has us longing for winter. Last ski season (or lack of one) left much to be desired, so we are anxious to see what this year brings. 

So far, conditions have been good for snowmaking. Loveland, Copper, and Arapahoe Basin, and Vail's Golden Peak are making powder (with A-Basin putting their new $250,000 snowcat to work). Chilly temperatures in the High Country mean that the colder and drier air-up-there should help the snow stick around longer.

Colorado is usually the first state to open with lift-served skiing, and we also boast one of the longest ski seasons in North America (October to June). But this year it's not just a race to see which one of our resorts will open first, we're also competing with out-of-state resorts like Sunday River in Maine and Ski Las Vegas. 

Though many skiers and boarders may have felt cheated last year, that hasn't dampened their enthusiasm for the upcoming season. In fact, the deprivation may be helping. According to Jennifer Rudolph, Communications Director at Colorado Ski Country USA, pre-season pass sales are trending positively and early bookings look encouraging. Now, we just need a little help from Mother Nature. 

—Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Follow Digital Assistant Editor Davina van Buren on Twitter at @davinavanburen