Hundreds of skiers, snowboarders hit the slopes at first resort opening of 2019
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Ski season has officially started in Utah. Brighton Resort opened Tuesday, with others soon to follow.
Skiers and snowboarders took full advantage. Hundreds of very excited people made their way to the resort to get their first runs in down the slopes.
“This is my first time being out here for the first day,” said skier Stephen Heron from Salt Lake City. “It’s exciting to see everyone here."
“It’s opening day,” said Caley Kohl, a Brighton employee who wanted to get some skiing in today. “Obviously the stoke level is incredibly high."
“All up and down the lift you hear people whooping, screaming, and hollering,” Heron said.
Jared Winkler with Brighton Resort said they were able to make enough snow to open.
“So far, so good,” he said.
Winkler said they plan to have two lifts running now seven days a week.
“We expect it to last and hold out for the rest of the season,” he said.
As more snow falls, and they can make more snow, Winkler said they will open more terrain and lifts.
He said Brighton usually opens the second or third week of November, so this is the perfect time.
“We are excited people have an option to go skiing when they come and visit their family for the Thanksgiving holiday next week," Winkler said, “not only for Thanksgiving, but for the rest of the holidays.”
“What’s it like out there, is it awesome?” we asked Heron.
“No it’s terrible! It’s crummy snow; it’s already a little sloshy,” he said.
At least for everyone on the slopes this opening day, it was the greatest snow on earth.
“It’s really bad, but it’s good enough, because you’re out here on skis and having a blast,” Heron said.
Other resorts are not too far behind. Park City Mountain Resort opens Friday. Snowbasin Resort, Alta Ski Area, Snowbird Ski Resort, and Solitude Mountain Resort are scheduled to open Thanksgiving week. Most other resorts have opening days scheduled in December.
