Sierra ski resorts open early, thanks to heavy snowfall

By Associated Press

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

Other links Sign up for Travel e-mail NWsource: Travel

RENO, Nev. — The Sierra ski season traditionally opens around Thanksgiving, but a storm that dumped up to 4 feet of snow in places has skiers laying down tracks before Halloween.

Boreal Mountain Resort near Truckee, Calif., opened one of its nine lifts on Thursday and plans to operate two more this weekend.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, a major California resort, opened two of its 27 lifts Thursday. "There were people waiting at 4:20 this morning to be first on the lifts," Jamie Bumgarner, Mammoth's advertising and production coordinator said Thursday.

Officials at other resorts either haven't decided whether they will open early or have said they wouldn't open before their previously announced opening date.

Squaw Valley USA spokeswoman Katja Dahl said its Nov. 20 opening date may stand because temperatures could turn warmer.

"We're looking at it, but we have to assess what Mother Nature has in store for us next," Dahl said. "We got a ton of snow and we're headed in the right direction."

At Heavenly Mountain Resort, spokeswoman Molly Cuffe said plans are to open Nov. 19 because Heavenly wants to open with as much accessible terrain and operating lifts as possible.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

E-mail this article

Print this article

Search archive

More travel outdoors headlines...