WEST DOVER, Vermont — The first chairlift ride was still an hour away when four snowboarders positioned themselves at the front of the Grand Summit Express lift line. By midday, hundreds of skiers and riders had come to Mount Snow for its earliest opening day in ten years.

Mount Snow’s nine open trails featured two top-to-bottom runs for intermediate and advanced level skiers and snowboarders, a lift-serviced beginner area and more than 10 terrain park features for freestyle skiers and riders.

“We were riding the chairlift up and couldn’t believe how good it looked,” said Sue Stiles of Newtown, Connecticut, who came with her husband, Jim, and nine year-old son, Jimmy. “We never would have thought to have been skiing at this time of year.”

Mount Snow spent $3.5 million in snowmaking technology during the offseason. Mike Weber said he and his wife, JoAnne, couldn’t recall better opening day conditions in their more than 10 years as season passholders.

“The coverage in the base area is deep enough that we wish we had brought our good equipment instead of our rock skis,” said Weber, who drove up from Chicopee, Massachusetts. “From the snow to the new bathrooms [in the Main Base Lodge}, we’re just thrilled about everything that’s been done so far.”

Overnight temperatures are forecasted to remain cold enough through the weekend to continue making snow and possibly expand terrain in time for the Veteran’s Day holiday on Monday.

“We consider ourselves open for the season,” says general manager Kelly Pawlak. This summer was too long a wait to use our new fan gun technology. We’re going to keep rolling along.

Lodging Packages and more information is available by calling 800-245-SNOW or visiting www.mountsnow.com.

Peak Resorts operates 11 ski areas and 2 golf courses in 6 states. Peak Resorts Inc. is committed to building an enhanced resort experience at each of their properties.