Sierra resorts rush to open following snowfall

AP

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003 | 1:36 a.m.

One week after record temperatures had Sierra ski resort operators fretting about when they might open, several areas were happily setting dates.

The combination of cold temperatures, snowmaking equipment and an unexpectedly strong storm over the weekend that left up to 3 feet of snow in the mountains has turned bare ground white.

Boreal Mountain Resort along Interstate-80 at Donner Summit won the bragging rights for being first to open again this year, running one chair on Saturday and a second on Sunday.

Well to the south, Mammoth Mountain planned to launch its season on Thursday with a formal opening on Saturday.

Heavenly at Lake Tahoe's south shore set Nov. 21 as its opening date with Squaw Valley USA and Kirkwood following the next day. Northstar-at-Tahoe planned to open Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving.

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