SAM Magazine—Killington, Vt., Nov. 13, 2024—Vermont’s Killington Resort and Maine’s Sunday River are both opening Nov. 14 at 9 a.m., making them the first Northeast ski areas to open for daily operations.Courtesy of Sunday River The first day at each resort will be exclusively for passholders; the general public can get on snow starting Nov. 15. Both resorts will remain open seven days a week, weather permitting.

“We owe our snowmaking team a round of applause for getting us up and running for the 2024-25 season,” said Mike Solimano, president and CEO of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain.

At Killington, two lifts will provide access to advanced terrain on two trails; no beginner terrain will be available and there will be a few terrain park features set up. Walking will be required to exit the skiable terrain. Passholders will be treated to free lunch on Thursday. Adult lift tickets for Friday are $85.

As part of opening day, Killington will donate $5,000 to the Share Winter Foundation, a grantmaking and advocacy organization dedicated to enriching the lives of youth through winter sports. “We are very excited to get back to skiing and riding and thrilled to support the Share Winter Foundation with a donation in honor of those who join us for opening day,” said Solimano. 

The resort is also prepping for the Stifel Killington Cup over Thanksgiving weekend with top-to-bottom snowmaking on Superstar whenever conditions allow.

At Sunday River, the Locke Triple will serve advanced terrain only on the T2 trail. Downloading will be required from the Locke midstation. 

“We have been counting down the days, and the wait is over,” said Sunday River general manager Brian Heon. “Our team is excited to welcome guests and start the season with the spirit of adventure and fun that makes Sunday River so special.” 

Sunday River previously opened for one day of skiing and riding on Halloween.

In Quebec, Sommet Saint-Sauveur will also open for daily operations starting at 12 p.m. today. The resort will drop the rope on Côte 70, an advanced trail served by the L’Étoile quad. The lift will spin until 8 p.m. tonight.

Other Northeast ski areas have been making snow in earnest during the recent fickle windows of cold temps, including Bretton Woods and Waterville Valley, N.H.; Whiteface and Gore Mountain, N.Y.; Wachusett, Mass.; and Mount Snow, Vt., among others. Most are aiming to open around Thanksgiving weekend, weather permitting.

Updated Nov. 14, 2024, to include the opening of Sommet Saint-Sauveur.