Killington First North American Ski Resort Open For 2015

[leadin]With temps in the 20s, and massive snowmaking underway, this weekend Killington Resort in Vermont cranked its lifts on and opened the ticket counter. It was the first ski area in North America this year to open for the season.[/leadin]

Reporting two trails and two chairlifts open, and a 12-inch base of manmade snow, images on the ski area’s social media show hordes of happy skiers making do with early-season conditions.

“First in North America!” the resort reported today. In total, there are 7 acres open, a mile of skiing, and the resort received 1 inch of natural snow this weekend, too.

It’s always something of a race each fall to see which ski area — and which region in the country — can get its snow in shape first.

We have skied in early October in Minnesota, and two years ago Arapahoe Basin opened in Colorado on October 13th.

Northeast First This Year

A warmer fall has kept Colorado ski resorts closed so far, but snowmaking is in progress at some areas. But this year, with frosty weather in the Northeast, Killington was able to snag the title.

Reported the Killington staff, “Our hard-working Parks Crew will be busy building a few fresh features overnight in the Reason Early Season Park. Please note that available terrain is for expert skiers and riders only.”

Want to hit the slopes and willing to make the drive? The resort will assess weather and snow conditions tomorrow and update the schedule for the remainder of the week. Monitor the situation, hours, and lift rates here.

Early season conditions exist, Killington notes, and “please ski and ride with care.”