Sunday River became the first eastern ski area to open for the 2009-2010 season today. Utilizing the uploading and downloading capabilities of the Locke Mountain Triple’s mid-station, Sunday River has T2 currently open with potentially more trails open for this weekend depending upon temperatures and snow making. Today featured an unannounced “soft” opening featuring free skiing and riding until 3:30 P.M. Thursday through Sunday, skiers and riders can enjoy T2 from the mid-station of Locke Mountain for $25.00. Snow making continues as temperatures allow.

This season saw a significant early season snowmaking push from former ASC brand resorts Sunday River (now owned by Boyne USA Resorts) and Killington (now owned by Powdr Corp). Both resorts began snowmaking operations earlier than any other year in recent memory and dropped hints of an early opening. Currently, Killington has neither committed to nor denied opening this coming weekend. Since Sunday River has already opened, the race is over and the pressure is off Killington for first to open honors.

The mid-mountain load station on the Lock Mountain Triple lift provides the Newry, ME based resort with significant advantages for opening faster than other ski areas. Unlike Killington and other ski areas in the early to open race, Sunday River need not have top to bottom skiing to open. Whereas Killington and other early opening mountains generally need temperatures to drop low enough to allow snow making top to bottom.

Thus begins the 2009-2010 ski season!