For at least two New England ski resorts, skiing and snowboarding season is here.
Killington Ski Resort in Killington, Vermont, became the first ski resort in North America to open on Sunday, offering season pass holders the chance to ski on limited trails. Killington reports 700 pass holders attended.
Monday was the big day for Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry, Maine, which had 750 skiers and snowboarders for its opening day. Sunday River was able to open the Locke Mountain Triple in Barker Basin and the Lower Sunday Punch trails, offering top-to-bottom skiing.
October 19 is the third earliest Opening Day Sunday River has ever had.
"Ideal temperatures really were this weekend," said Sunday River communications director Sarah Devlin.
Snow guns started up on Saturday, and the resort used 150 guns to get the resort ready for opening day.
"It's our goal every year to get people on the hill before Halloween, and this year, we definitely succeeded," said Devlin.
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Although the trails are limited this time of year, early skiing may be worth it simply for the views.
It's a rare chance to ski down mountains, skill displaying near-peak foliage. Some call the view "snowliage."
Sunday River will be offering free skiing on Halloween if skiers come in costume. The resort opens for full-time hours in mid-November.
