WEST DOVER, Vermont — Mount Snow will open its slopes to skiers and riders on Saturday, Nov. 22. Thanks to a solid week of snowmaking and a little help from natural accumulation, Vermont’s southernmost ski resort will start the season with five top-to-bottom runs on three mountain faces, including two full terrain parks and three high speed lifts.

4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16 marked the beginning of an intensive weeklong snowmaking effort. Mount Snow’s fan guns blanketed trails on the Main Face including Canyon, Standard, Deer Run and Long John, in addition to The Gulch and Nitro on the Carinthia face. Chute, on the North Face, will receive enough attention late in the week to be ready by opening day. Learning terrain will also be open near the Discovery Center.

“We’re very excited to have terrain available for everyone on opening day ??“ from the just-learning beginner, to the hardcore freestyle skier or rider, to the expert looking for a black diamond. It’s all here, on day one,” said Mount Snow’s general manager Kelly Pawlak.

Mountain operations director Dave Moulton said that six to seven lifts will be spinning all weekend, including three high-speed detachable quads and a “magic carpet” learning lift. The Carinthia Base Lodge and Main Base Lodge, as well as the Summit Lodge, will be open with full food service and amenities.

Mountain manager Elia Hamilton reported that a variety of over 20 rails and boxes will be set up on Carinthia for freestyle enjoyment, with a full top to bottom park on Nitro and a smaller park on The Gulch.

Moulton pointed out that he’ll suspend snowmaking operations on open trails while guests are skiing and riding, but snowmaking will continue on other trails. Weekend snowmaking plans include Snowdance on the Main Face and Mineshaft and Inferno on Carinthia.

Opening weekend lift tickets will be set at Mount Snow’s midweek rate of $69 for adults and $56 for young adults. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Clocktower building and Carinthia Base lodge.

For updated information as opening day nears, visit the snow report at www.mountsnow.com.