Some days of below normal temperatures in November have proven to a boon to Tussey Mountain.
The ski area in Boalsburg will open two slopes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Marketing director Aaron Weyman said it’s the earliest the slopes have opened since the site began operating under the name Tussey Mountain Ski Area in 1981.
For Saturday and Sunday, the Utah main slope and Little Bear beginner area will be open, with $30 all-day tickets available.
Weyman said that with temperatures expect to rise a bit over the next week, the plan for now is to be open on weekends only until more snow can be made and more slopes open.
‘We’ve got the philosophy that when it’s cold enough and the conditions are right, we’ll make snow,’ Weyman said. ‘It went well enough that we figured we might as well utilize it.
‘We know people would love to have more terrain open, but I think the die-hards will be happy just to be able to get down the mountain.’
He added that Tussey Mountain has made investments in its snowmaking in recent years and that even five years ago such an early opening would be unlikely.
In some past years, the ski area has opened as early as the weekend after Thanksgiving, but never before.
During peak season, which is usually between December and March, chair lifts will typically operate noon-10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Snow tubing is offered during peak season as well. Weyman said that with season pass holders and scheduled programs, priority is given to getting the ski slopes open first, but that the goal for the snow tube park is to be open around mid-December.
