Colorado winter sports resort is forced to close after being hit by biggest winter storm in decades that dumped 46 inches of snow and triggered multiple avalanches

A Colorado ski resort has been forced to close after experiencing 'the biggest snow event in decades.' 

Eldora received 46 inches of snow over two days leading to the closure of the popular ski area on Thursday.  

Overall, four mountains were closed to snow sports because they were inaccessible after an upslope spring storm dumped several feet of snow across the Front Range.

A six-wheel John Deere grader veered off the road and got stuck in a snow drift while trying to clear a path for traffic, which made reopening the road more difficult, officials said.  

'The grader was clearing Shelf Road near Peterson Lake and pitched off the side, down the bank toward the lake, but did not go into the lake,' Eldora spokesman Sam Bass told the Denver Post. 

Eldora receives 46 inches of snow over two days leading to the closure of the popular ski area

A six-wheel John Deere grader veered off the road and got stuck in a snow drift while trying to clear a path for traffic

'The rest of Shelf Road has been drifting and sliding all night with multiple small avalanches across the road throughout its length,' Bass told the Post.   

Bass added: 'We were cautiously optimistic about a potential mid-afternoon opening today, but continue to experience complications all over our entire operation.

'Snow removal, road conditions, massive snow on the mountain that requires avalanche mitigation in key areas, getting employees safely to and from Eldora to assist with clearing efforts — as we recover from this massive storm.'

Echo Mountain experience 45 inches of snow in just 48 hours, leading to its closure. 

'Please DO NOT attempt to drive to Echo until you hear from us about our plan moving forward,' a notice posted to Echo's official website read.

'Access along CO-103 is incredibly difficult, and more stuck cars (means) longer delays in plowing and clearing the road.'

Both Winter Park and Arapahoe Basin closed to skiers after receiving 17 and 14 inches of snow respectively.  

The ski resort experienced 'the biggest snow event in decades'

Snow is expected to continue to fall over the weekend in the Rockies, Four Corners and South Rockies, according to a National Weather Service report

However, Loveland and A-Basin, which were both closed on Thursday, reopened to skiiers on Friday. 

'As of Friday morning, snow totals east of the northern divide are 30-50 inches,' according to a post by meteorologist Joel Gratz. 

Adding: 'The storm will bring more snow to the southern mountains on Friday and Saturday.' 

The Spring snowstorm began on Wednesday, leading to the cancellation of more than 800 flights at Denver International Airport, the Denver Post reported.

Denver public schools were also forced to close for the day on Friday.  

Tens of thousands of residents across the state were also left without power on Friday, the Associated Press reported.  

Snow is expected to continue to fall over the weekend in the Rockies, Four Corners and South Rockies, according to a National Weather Service report.