Tussey Mountain to Open Thursday

One day after Mother Nature sent a fresh blanket of snow to the area, Tussey Mountain will open for the season, a resort official said Wednesday night.

Beginners’ terrain will be open Thursday, said Sue Matalavage, the business manager for Tussey. Additional terrain could open by Friday depending on further snow accumulation and temperatures, which must be, at the most, around 30 degrees in order to blow artificial snow. About 10 inches is needed for ideal skiing conditions. About 4 inches fell as of this posting.

‘We’re thinking positive and moving forward and hoping to get additional terrain open as soon as possible,’ Matalavage said.

Additional resort features, such as the snow sports school and pro shop will be open Thursday, she said.

The mountain will be open from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and will have daily ski specials starting Jan. 2 and continuing through February.

Last year, Tussey did not open until New Year’s Eve.

‘This is still a late start for us,’ said Matalavage, who noted last year’s winter yielded about 6 inches of natural snow until a March storm. ‘It’s not what we’re used to, that’s for sure.’