SAM Magazine -Windham, N.Y., Nov. 3, 2008-Eastern ski resorts got a jump on the ski season after an October storm brought snow and colder temperatures to the region.

The storm dropped more than two feet of snow in parts of the region. Windham Mountain in the northern Catskill Mountains reported 27 inches of snow on the ski area's upper elevations. Nearby Hunter Mountain reported 15 inches of snow from the same storm, with parts of the Adirondack Mountains receiving up to two feet. In Vermont, Killington reported a foot at the summit, and Stowe received seven inches of snow.

Killington became the latest to open, on Sunday, Nov. 2, and now has eight trails served by two lifts off Killington Peak. The area began snowmaking operations on Oct. 29. For opening day, it offered three miles of groomed blue and black trails. "Our snowmaking crew has taken advantage of the premium weather conditions and nearly tripled the 12 inches of natural snow at the peak," stated Patricia Ryan, director of marketing, sales and reservations. It is the only New England area operating midweek at present.

Mount Snow offered its first lift-serviced terrain of the 2008-09 ski season for the weekend of Oct. 25, opening a terrain park with over a dozen features. 
The opening marked the first lift-serviced terrain in Vermont for the 2008-09 season. Approximately 300 skiers and riders showed up for the "Tricks for Treats" jib session on Launch Pad. The area is now closed but continues to make snow when possible, in anticipation of its regular opening.

In Maine, Sunday River opened Oct. 30, a day ahead of schedule, with access to the T2 trail on upper Locke Mountain. "Thanks to the hard work of Sunday River's snowmaking team and $1.5 million in new snowmaking investment this season, including the addition of 70 new Boyne Low-E fan guns, we were able to make enough snow to open even sooner than expected," said Brent Larson, Sunday River mountain manager. The area is operating weekends only at the moment, weather permitting.

In New Hampshire, Bretton Woods ski resort has commenced snowmaking operations, and may be open sooner than scheduled. "We plan to get folks out on the snow just as soon as we can. From here on in, we'll be making snow at every opportunity and plan to open as soon as possible," said Chris Ellms, director of ski operations for the resort. He hoped the resort could open by Nov. 8.

As usual, sustainable openings depend on the weather. The forecast for the Northeast is not favorable in the short term, with above-normal temperatures expected for at least part of this week, so the early openings may be temporary. But hey, it's a start. \