In a time when Las Vegas seems to be coming in near the bottom of every list for housing, education, health care – you name it – The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort brought us to a number two ranking for 2009 Ski Season Openings.
Wednesday, October 7, the resort opened one of the beginner hills at noon coming in second to the Loveland Ski Area in Colorado which opened at 9 a.m. the same day.
Last year the Las Vegas resort opened the day after Thanksgiving. The 2009 opening is about 7 weeks earlier than normal– a phenomenal record. Josh Beam and his crew worked three 14-hours nights to get a heavy layer of artificial snow ready for skiing.
Savanna Jason was one of the locals and tourists who took advantage of the mountain’s first ‘snow day’.
“It’s astronomical to be skiing in Las Vegas before Thanksgiving, let alone before Halloween,” said Jason.
Las Vegas base operations manager and resort spokesman Craig Baldwin said “It feels great to tee it up with the Colorado guys. This season’s gonna be good.”
And if it turns out that you’re not up for a quick run down the slopes quite yet, the resort is also offering scenic tours. The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort will be open on weekends until the weather turns colder and natural snow fills in the other runs. Daily lift tickets are $20.