Vermont Ski Resorts Expect
Snowy 2011-2012 Season

With snowy a winter predicted for 2011-2012 predicted by La Nina and the Old Farmer’s Almanac, snowmaking operations will commence with early season rail jams and the laying of a smooth and pristine snow base. Thanksgiving weekend is the traditional opening for Vermont skiing. Here are anticipate Vermont ski area opening dates, posted as of mid-November:

November 19: Mount Snow, Okemo Mountain Resort, Stowe Mountain Resort, Sugarbush Resort
November 23: Stratton Mountain Resort
November 25: Bromley Mountain Resort, Jay Peak Resort, Smugglers’ Notch Resort
December 10: Bolton Valley Resort, Burke Mountain Resort
December 16: Pico Mountain, Suicide Six Ski Area
December 17: Magic Mountain
* Killington Resort: Opened October 29, 2011.
* Mad River Glen: As soon as possible after Thanksgiving.

Bolton Valley Resort, Bolton Valley

Bolton Valley plans to open for the 2011-2012 season on December 10. Snowmaking begins in late November and a plethora of deals and activities are in place for the month of December. On Sunday, December 18, skiers and riders who show up in complete Santa attire will earn a free lift ticket for that day. Approximately 88km of high elevation Nordic terrain, a complete sports center and indoor amusement center are a few of the extras available to guests. Information: 877-9BOLTON or visit www.boltonvalley.com.

Bromley Mountain Resort, Peru

Last summer, Bromley purchased new high efficiency snow guns and replaced sections of water and air pipe all over the mountain. Upgraded fiber optic communications tie the system together increase energy efficiency. A makeover of the learning zone includes a new warming hut with bathrooms, a new 250-foot carpet lift, and new water and air pipes. In all, $150,000 was spent in upgrades to snowmaking. Information: 802-824-5522 or visit www.bromley.com.

Magic Mountain, Londonderry

Magic Mountain continues to keep prices below $60 for a day ticket ($59 for adults, $51 for teens, $39 for juniors and seniors). Magic is offering have a new all-holiday "White Out" pass that gives skiers an opportunity to save money over the holidays when most areas charge more or "black out" their "alue Season Passholders. The White Out pas is $249 for 19 days of holiday skiing. Magic has also added over 10 acres of new glade skiing since last year. Magic is marking 50 years since Hans Thorner first opened the peak with a gala celebration on February 4. Magic is also an important stop on the Ski The East Freeride Tour along with Mad River, Sugarbush and Jay. The March 3 event will be a test of the best skiers are in the East.

Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow

Okemo can cover 96 percent of its terrain with snowmaking and it continues to explore ways to make snow at closer-to-freezing temperatures, allowing the resort to open more lower-elevation terrain earlier. Fifteen new HKD tower guns are being installed in narrow slopes and ski home access trails. HKD tower guns make up most of the 1,100 guns in Okemo’s arsenal. Information: 800-78-OKEMO (786-5366) or visit www.okemo.com.

Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe

Stowe is the first resort in New England to join PistenBully’s Elite Fleet program. PistenBully has been specially designed for operation on steep slopes. Stowe recently added 110 million gallons of water storage in a newly constructed lake and York Fully Automated Snowmaking. Information: 802-253-3000 or visit www.stowe.com.

Stratton Mountain Resort, Bondville

This season, Stratton is adding two new trails, a terrain park on Big Ben, two new groomers and 300 energy-efficient tower snow guns. “With 300 powerful new snowguns and 220 million gallons of water at hand … we have the raw material to roll out that white carpet,” said a Stratton executive. “We can cover a football field in three feet of snow in just one hour.” Information: 800-STRATTON (787-2886) or visit www.stratton.com.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Smugglers’ Notch

Smugglers’ Notch Resort plans to kick off ski and ride 2011-2012 the day after Thanksgiving, with intermediate terrain on Sterling Mountain. The resort’s fleet of 300 snowmaking guns provides supplemental coverage on most beginner and intermediate terrain. A popular early season event is the resort’s annual BrewFest on December 3. The resort’s family programs begin on December 9, with SuperSaver pricing in effect through December 17. Information: 802-644-8851 or visit www.smuggs.com.

Sugarbush Ski Resort, Warren

Two months and over $800,000 later after the August visit of Hurricane Irene, both of snowmaking ponds at Sugarbush have been repaired. They are full of water and we are ready to make snow with cold enough temperatures. Three compressors at Lincoln Peak were rebuilt over the summer and all are running well. New energy-efficiency towers will be installed in November. Information: 800.53.SUGAR or visit www.sugarbush.com.

Trapp Family Lodge Stowe, Stowe

This historic Nordic ski resort plans to start snowmaking earlier this season, aiming for mid to late November. A new fan gun will increase season production by up to six times, if temperatures allow. Information: www.trappfamily.com. Information: 802- 253-8511 or www.trappfamily.com.