Boyne Mountain expected to open Friday.
'Tis the season to hit the slopes, but for that you need plenty of snow. Work is well underway at northern Michigan resorts to get ready for the opening of ski season.
"Being a seasonal sport, people have waited to get back out, they're definitely anxious to get out," said Steve Kershner, director of snow sports at Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek Resort.
At Shanty Creek Resort, crews have been working non-stop since Sunday to get the slopes ready. Kershner says they're confident that all things will be ready to open on Thanksgiving Day.
"Snow making is our number one priority," Kershner said. "We've got three shifts of snowmakers and actually temperatures have allowed us to have all three shifts in over the last 24 hours."
At Boyne Mountain Resort, snow guns have been fired up for the past 36 hours. Boyne Mountain's General Manager says they'll be opening up a week early.
"We're really happy with what's gone on with mother nature, we're going to open up on Friday, so we're going to have enough base down on two or three slopes to open up Friday and so we're going to beat Thanksgiving this year," said Ed Grice, general manager of Boyne Mountain Resort.
And despite current conditions of the economy, staff at Boyne Mountain and Shanty Creek resorts both expect a strong winter season.
"Season pass sales this year have been way up and bookings for Christmas are looking really good too," Kershner said. "I think some of that has to do with the economy, people are staying closer to home, so all indications are looking good."
Slopes at Boyne Mountain Resort opens at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 21.
Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek Resort will open slopes Thanksgiving Day.
Mount Holiday turned its snow guns on Monday to start preparing the slopes. The ski hill is scheduled to officially open December 12th but with the winter weather that's moving in, the director says it could be sooner.
