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Ski resorts welcome snow

Page Last Updated: Friday November 20, 2009 12:00am PST

Victoria Campbell, News 4

Winds clocked at 104 miles per hour on Mt. Rose are carrying in the first major snowstorm of the season. Ski resort operators say they're crossing their fingers and hoping for plenty of snow on the slopes in time for the long Thanksgiving Day weekend.

"It's coming in furiously," said Kayla Anderson, public relations representative for Mt. Rose Ski Resort. "It's exciting."

Those high winds forced the closure of the chair lifts at the resort Friday. More than 600 employees have been hired and are being brought on the job as needed. Annually, about 50 percent of skiers are locals, and the remaining 50 percent drive or fly to Reno. Mt. Rose sees more than 200,000 skier visits every year.

Resorts observe what operators call "The Triple Crown" of holidays that can make or break a successful season. The two weeks surrounding Christmas and New Years, the Martin Luther King holiday, and Presidents Day are vital for ski resort operators.

"But to be able to open before Thanksgiving, hopefully we'll see some business," said Anderson.

"People should love to ski on Thanksgiving, and we're so excited to open this early."

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