SAM Magazine-Vail, Nov. 23, 2007-After a warm November in many parts of North America, resorts from coast to coast are swinging into action, thanks to the belated arrival of both natural snow and colder snowmaking temperatures. Delayed openings in the Rockies have been a major departure from prior seasons, when ample natural snowfall allowed resorts across the region to open vast amounts of terrain by the Thanksgiving holiday.

The recent cold weather has enabled areas in the Rocky Mountain region to open despite low natural snow totals so far this year. Vail opened on Wednesday, after the ski area delayed its opening by nearly a week. Beaver Creek opens today, after a two-day delay to that resort's opening day. Nearby Snowmass resort has also commenced operations for the season. So have Crested Butte and Eldora. In Wyoming, Targhee is offering top to bottom sliding.

Other regions of North America are also reporting mixed conditions. Despite sunny conditions, Lake Louise-which is also hosting a men's World Cup stop this weekend-expects to open additional terrain. The ski area is reporting a settled snowpack of 60 cm at the top of the mountain.

In Alaska, Alyeska is experiencing solid early season conditions. "With over 16 feet of snowfall at the summit by Thanksgiving, once again Alyeska is the powder leader in North America. Skiing over-the-head blower in mid November is really a treat," said Rich Eidem, GM. More snowfall is forecast for the next five days.

On the east coast, most major areas are open. Whiteface is opening today with 2,300 vertical feet of terrain on Little Whiteface. Loon Mountain also commenced operations this week, with a base depth of 12 to18 inches. Jiminy Peak, Wachusett, Windham, Mount Snow, Okemo, Cannon Mountain, Cranmore, and Snowshoe are among those up and operating. Bretton Woods Nordic Center also is enjoying good early season conditions, with a base depth of four to eight inches and over 20 kilometers of skiing, with 10.3 km of track and skate groomed terrain.

On the west coast, Whistler Blackcomb has been operating for weeks. The Oregon resorts of Timberline, Bachelor and Mount Hood Meadows fired up the lifts this week, with a combination of natural and man-made snow. At Tahoe, Squaw, Sugar Bowl, and Heavenly are open or will be by tomorrow.

And in Southern California, colder temperatures have bolstered snowmaking efforts at Mountain High and Big Bear. Mountain High staff said that continued snowmaking efforts could allow the resort to open as early as this weekend. "Conditions look very good," said John McColly, director of marketing. "There is a 90 percent chance that we will make snow tonight, and we will continue as long as we can, day or night, until we open." \

• Previous
  Red Mountain to Build Ski/Snowboard Cross Course
• Next
  Crested Butte Slashes Ticket Prices For Competitor's Pass Holders