Blue Mountain resort opened four runs and two chair lifts this weekend to mark an early start to the ski and snowboard season, and some students traded sleeping in for a morning on the slopes.

Last week’s snow and cold weather for snowmaking made a good base, and gave Blue Mountain staff a bright outlook for the year.

“We’re looking forward to an epic season,” said Kelly O’Neil, Public Relations specialist at Blue Mountain. “I know that the economy is a factor in this, but we are offering some value priced products ... Sales are right on track according to our benchmarks from last year, hopefully we’re going to see a similar season.”

The hills were crowded and chair lift line-ups continuous for opening day on Friday, November 28. There were some mixed feelings about the conditions of the hill.

“I think they should have waited, there’s a lot of ice and brown spots,” said Savana Toppazzini a local grade seven student enjoying her P.A. day.

David Rindsem bought a pass for the first time this year and was very glad for the early open.

“I’m looking forward so far, 100 per cent, for skiing,” he said, recollecting last year’s early start with far less snow. “It’s great, even better when they have snow, and it’s not even all man-made.”

O’Neil, said the early start makes them hope for a late spring season as well.