MONTPELIER — Last week closed with a gift from the snow gods: A powder dump of up to half a foot. Then, the mercury dropped and Vermont ski resorts came out with their guns blazing.
Snowmaking operations are in full swing across the state, as Vermont mountain ops crews are laying down a blanket of the white stuff in preparation for a number of slated resort openings.
Stowe Mountain Resort was encased in a white cloud Monday, with snow blowing all over the mountain in preparation for its opening this Friday, Nov. 16.
"On Friday we plan to be open top-to-bottom on primary blue terrain with the Four Runner Quad running 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7:30 a.m. weekends and holidays," said Jeff Wise, Marketing and Communications Director in a press release.
Epic Pass holders will also be excited to hear that Okemo Mountain Resort will also be operational in time for the weekend.
"We are looking good for our planned Friday opening," said Doug Pierini, Vice President and COO of Okemo.
Sugarbush Resort plans to open to the public this Saturday, Nov. 17 and could spin the lifts Friday for pass holders only if conditions are right by then.
"It is great to see our 60th season off to an early start thanks to the efforts of our snowmaking team and some help from Mother Nature," said Win Smith, owner of Sugarbush Resort.
Stratton Mountain Resort is in the midst of its own personal blizzard, with more than 200 snow guns spreading the white stuff on a dozen trails including favorites like Black Bear, Polar Bear, Upper Tamarack and Frank's Fall Line.
With a promising forecast into Wednesday, Stratton is well on track for its scheduled opening on Nov. 21.
The Sun Mountain, Bromley, has officially become the Snow Mountain thanks to a double dose of natural and man-made snow.
"We'd like to thank (Mother) Nature and Ullr for dumping snow on us Friday night, and providing us with excellent snowmaking conditions through the weekend," said Savannah Strom, Marketing Coordinator at Bromley Mountain. "Team Snowmageddon has been working round the clock these last few days blowing snow."
Bromley plans to open Friday, Nov. 23 and provide weekend service before starting seven-day-a-week operations on Dec. 7.
Jay Peak Resort has the same opening date circled on its calendar, and Director of Communications JJ Toland said the planets are aligned for stellar skiing and snowboarding conditions by then.
"The Friday of the Thanksgiving holiday is always our opening target and with a foot-plus of natural snow predicted this week and temps that allowed us to begin snowmaking operations last Saturday, we'll open for the season Friday, Nov. 23," said Toland.
Mad River Glen also got into the act, with snow guns blowing near its base area to help set up surfaces ahead of its yet-unannounced opening.
"Many skiers think Mad River Glen doesn't make snow (or groom for that matter) but in fact we do both and they are vital to the way the mountain is managed," said Matt Lillard, General Manager of Mad River Glen.
Those openings will bolster a 2018-19 ski season that is already well underway. Killington Resort first spun its lifts on Oct. 19 - a full three weeks ahead of its opening day last season and tied with Maine's Sunday River for earliest opening in the East. Mount Snow Resort welcomed skiers and snowboarders the following weekend for the earliest opening in its 64-year history.
The first three weeks of November are traditionally the sweet spot for Vermont ski areas opening. Last year, nine of the state's alpine resorts opened between Nov. 8 and Thanksgiving weekend.
