Ski resorts target opening dates

Dust off your skis and snowboards as resorts make plans for opening days.

If you’ve been dusting off the skis and wondering when the hills will finally spin the lifts, there’s a bit more clarity this week, though not everyone is ready to commit to an opening day just yet.

Horseshoe Resort is the first out of the gate with a firm date, saying it will officially open for the season on Dec. 5. With recent cold nights and snowmaking underway, the resort says it’s confident it can welcome skiers and snowboarders by the end of next week.

A little farther north, Mount St. Louis Moonstone is almost ready to circle a date on the calendar, but not quite. The hill says it still needs final confirmation before making anything official, though the target is Dec. 5, 6 or 7, depending on how temperatures and snowmaking conditions play out. Staff say they’ll announce an exact date as soon as they can.

Over at Snow Valley, the message is more cautious. Officials say they’re still waiting for a green light and are “realistically” expecting to open after Dec. 9. Snowmaking has been underway, but there still needs to be a solid stretch of consistent cold before committing to an opening weekend. Updates will be shared as conditions evolve.

Meanwhile, Blue Mountain has locked in its plan, confirming Dec. 11 as its opening day with the usual caveat that weather and conditions will ultimately decide. The resort added if temperatures cooperate and the hill is ready earlier than expected, it won’t hesitate to move up the date.

With temperatures finally dipping and more winter weather in the forecast, resorts say the upcoming week will be critical. For now, local skiers can start counting down cautiously as the season inches closer.