Tussey Mountain sets opening for ski slopes

Skiers and snowboarders rejoice — Tussey Mountain will open its slopes Thursday.

Tussey’s marketing director Aaron Weyman said staff met Tuesday and determined a 4 to 10 p.m. opening for Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

“We’re obviously totally excited about opening,” Weyman said. “So many people live for it in the winter, so we’re really excited for our customers, too. We have a really loyal base of skiers and snowboarders, and it’s nice for them to have quality skiing and snowboarding here instead of having to drive hours away to go somewhere else.”

Staff has made snow around the clock for days, and Weyman said the snow blowers will likely stay on. An abnormally warm December delayed the mountain’s typical opening.

“Everyone knows the weather hasn’t necessarily cooperated, but we were making snow earlier even when we knew it might melt,” Weyman said. “We’re always committed to getting open as soon as possible, so we have a few piles that will keep getting bigger. Then we’ll get our snow groomers out there.”

Little Bear and Utah will be open at the start of the season. Other trails could be open by the weekend.

“It’s pretty windy, and some trails are more narrow than others,” he said. “We want snow to settle down on the trails, and the wind has not cooperated and can take it into different directions. Forecasts say the wind will calm down, and we’ll have good snow making nights ahead without wind.”

Tussey Mountain will also have Saturday entertainment in its lodge from Miss Melanie and the Valley Rats.

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Tussey Mountain sets opening for ski slopes."