Blue Mountain reports strongest ski season start in 15 years

PALMERTON, Pa. (WPVI) -- Some people spent the three-day MLK holiday weekend hitting the slopes, with Blue Mountain drawing large crowds of skiers and snowboarders throughout the holiday.

The ski resort was packed all weekend, as visitors said conditions were ideal despite the occasional wipeout.

Resort officials said the turnout reflects what has been the strongest start to the ski season at Blue Mountain in 15 years.

"We started off, it was a little warm around Thanksgiving. We did not open on Black Friday, but we opened the following weekend with some fantastic terrain. Actually, the most terrain we've ever opened with," said Nick Delich, Blue Mountain's director of mountain operations.

Delich said recent cold temperatures and snowfall have kept all 40 of the resort's trails open for the past two weeks. The offerings also include dozens of tubing lanes.

"We are also the nation's largest tubing park, which we are impressed with," Delich said.

The conditions have drawn visitors from across the region to Palmerton for the long weekend.

"So much snow last night. So, it makes it really good. Not icy at all. It's good," said Charlie Crossed of Wayne, Pennsylvania.

Others said the trip itself was part of the appeal.

"The drive up wasn't so bad. And we stayed overnight nearby, and we're really having a great long weekend," said Emily Szeliga of Fishtown.