MONTPELIER, Vermont ??” Two early snowstorms in October helped whet appetites for the upcoming Vermont winter season and now, one month later, some well-timed snow storms will provide a boost just in time for the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

“The timing on these storms couldn’t be better,” said Vermont Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Bruce Hyde. “A number of our ski resorts have either recently opened for the season or are scheduled to open this week including Ascutney, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smuggler’s Notch, Stowe, Stratton and Sugarbush.”

“Thanksgiving traditionally kicks off the winter season and this year it looks as if Mother Nature will lend Vermont resorts a helping hand with a steady diet of natural snow this week. With more ski areas set to open for the holiday and more snow on the way, skiers and riders will have an abundance of terrain for the holiday,” said Dave Dillon of the Vermont Ski Areas Association.

“The October snowfall was really more important psychologically than anything else because it got people thinking about skiing and generated some early season buzz,” said Hyde. “The snowfall we’re getting now is much more of a direct benefit because more areas are open or will be opening this week. This snow will help reduce the demand on snowmaking and may allow areas to open more trails.”

Hyde said the early snowfall is also good news for the businesses that depend on winter visitation. According to the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing’s most recent research, some sectors of the Vermont tourism economy like retail and dining are 2 to 3 times more dependent on visitor spending than the national average. Visitors make an estimated 4 million trips to Vermont during the winter season and direct visitor spending during the period from December through March totals an estimated $568.7 million.

For additional information about skiing in Vermont including current conditions, you can log on to the Vermont Ski Areas Association website at www.skivermont.com. For information about winter events, attractions, lodging and dining you can log on to the official Vermont tourism website www.vermontvacation.com.