Blue Mountain opens ski and snowboarding season with fresh trails

PALMERTON, Pa. (WPVI) -- Blue Mountain opened its ski season at 9 a.m. Friday, drawing early-morning crowds eager to take advantage of cold weather conditions that officials say are helping the resort start strong.

Skiers and snowboarders said the slopes were in good shape for opening day.

"It looks beautiful. It's perfect," said Isaiah Gregory of West Oak Lane.

Caleb Bringle of Phillipsburg, N.J., added, "We're out here every year for opening day. This is the best day of the year."

The resort opened 40 acres and 13 freshly groomed trails, with five chairlifts spinning for day one. Some visitors arrived hours before the first runs.

"We're going to be here until they tell us to get off the mountain," said Zachary Evans of Phillipsburg, N.J.

Michael Mann of Allentown said the start of the season remains meaningful for him, calling it "something special" on his 37th year at Blue Mountain.

Resort officials said expanded snowmaking technology played a key role in preparing the mountain.

"If you looked at this place two weeks ago, you probably wouldn't have thought we would have made it. But that cold weather came through, and these new guns just really lay the snow down," said Director of Marketing Ashley Seier.

Seier said early conditions may allow the resort to reach a milestone.

"Looking ahead at the forecast, we're thinking that we may have the whole mountain open by Christmas. That has never happened before, so Mother Nature seems like it's on our side this year," she said.

For longtime visitor David Smith of Bethlehem, Pa., the new season brings familiar goals.

"Get out there and ride as much as possible and conquer some new tricks and have fun with my friends," he said.

The mountain is also welcoming first-timers. Gregory offered one piece of advice: "Get ready to fall. You're going to fall."

Resort officials said more trails are expected to open this weekend, with snow tubing scheduled to begin Thursday.