"We got lucky this year!" Snow lovers rejoice as ski hills open for the season a little earlier than usual!
KEWASKUM (WITI) -- Mother Nature has allowed snow lovers to hit the slopes at area ski hills a little earlier than normal!
"It's awesome that it's cold. We got lucky this year. Mother Nature helped us out," snowboarder Tyler Jevaney said.
Sunburst Ski Area in Kewaskum opened at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14th after blowing snow for much of last week.
"We came out here a lot last year, and every time we had a good time, so we decided to come back," Jevaney said.
Sunburst CEO Robert Friedl says on average, Sunburst begins opening runs around Thanksgiving weekend -- so this year, they've opened early.
"I'm grinning ear-to-ear. It's just good times!" Friedl said.
This past weekend, Sunburst had two runs open. Friedl says there's a good chance all runs will be open ahead of Thanksgiving.
"That’s probably pretty much unprecedented for this area. To be able to have that much of the hill open and have these kind of conditions this early -- it’s just a gift," Friedl said.
Sunburst crews continue to make snow -- working to lay down heavier snow and create a base before packing on more powder.
"Because we’re so early, we can just really focus on the snow making right now, and that makes things a little bit easier than if we’re just pushing into the holiday season. This (upcoming) week is going to be spectacular for snow making," Friedl said.
Sunburst and other winter sports destinations in southeastern Wisconsin are benefiting from warmer temperatures to the south. That has folks from Illinois heading to Wisconsin in search of the early season snow.
Sunburst is located at 8355 Prospect Drive in Kewaskum.
CLICK HERE to visit Sunburst Ski Area's website for more information.
Alpine Valley opened for the season on Saturday, November 15th.
Alpine Valley Resort's website says it has 16 trails open, and five lifts open with an 18-inch snow base. Alpine Valley saw 1.14 inches of snow Saturday night.
Alpine Valley is located at W2501 County Road D in Elkhorn.
CLICK HERE to visit Alpine Valley's website for more information.
Snow is being blown at The Rock Sports Complex in Franklin for its winter "snow parks," but The Rock hasn't officially opened any terrain or lifts yet, according to its website.
The Rock is located at 7900 West Crystal Ridge Drive in Franklin and offers a variety of outdoor winter activities.
CLICK HERE to visit The Rock's website for more information.
The Mountain Top in Lake Geneva is set to open on December 6th.
The Mountain Top has 18 runs with three chairlifts and two wonder carpets, and a terrain park.
The Mountain Top is located at 7036 Grand Geneva Way in Lake Geneva.
CLICK HERE to visit The Mountain Top's website for more information.
Tyrol Basin Ski & Snowboard Area in Mount Horeb is now open. Tyrol Basin's website says it opened this past weekend, November 15th and 16th.
Tyrol Basin has 16 trails, and is located at 3487 Bohn Road in Mount Horeb.
CLICK HERE to visit Tyrol Basin's website for more information.
Cascade Mountain Ski & Snowboard Area in Portage opened this past weekend, November 15th and 16th.
Cascade Mountain's regular opening is set for November 28th, but Mother Nature may move that date up, according to Cascade Mountain's website.
Cascade Mountain's Facebook page says four runs and one jump are currently open.
Cascade Mountain has 34 trails and 10 lifts.
Cascade Mountain is located at W10441 Cascade Mountain Road in Portage.
CLICK HERE to visit Cascade Mountain's website for more information.
Little Switzerland in Slinger opened this past weekend -- November 15th and 16th.
Currently, three trails and four lifts are open -- and Little Switzerland's website says there's an 18-inch snow base.
Little Switzerland started blowing snow last week.
Little Switzerland is located at 105 Cedar Creek Road in Slinger.
CLICK HERE to visit Little Switzerland's website for more information.
Wilmot Mountain in Wilmot, Wisconsin says it has begun making snow -- but it isn't yet officially open.
On its Facebook page, Wilmot Mountain says it will open next weekend.
Wilmot Mountain has 25 runs and four terrain parks.
Wilmot Mountain is located at 11931 Fox River Road in Wilmot.
CLICK HERE to visit Wilmot Mountain's website for more information.
CLICK HERE for more information on downhill skiing and snowboarding in Wisconsin via Travel Wisconsin's website.