Las Vegas ski resort is among the first in country to open

By Aida Ahmed

Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 | 1:23 p.m.

You're in luck if the cooler temperatures in the valley have made you eager for winter sports.

The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort became among the first in the country to open a ski lift early this morning after nine inches of snow fell on Mount Charleston this week.

The resort is open Saturday until 4 p.m. while it hosts the finish to the Mount Charleston Hill Climb bike race. On Sunday, the resort will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will officially open for the season on Nov. 25.

Chair 3 is the only chair open for skiing and snowboarding for the weekend preview. Guests can use the terrain and a jib park that features rails and boxes.

John Morelli, director of business affairs at the resort, said the temperature Saturday morning was 24 degrees, making conditions optimal.

“We had a nice covering of snow and two events already planned so we opened for the weekend,” said Morelli.

Using 400,000 gallons of water from the area’s snowmaking pond, which holds 7.5 million gallons of water, the resort created additional snow.

Morelli also said there are four features on the run and more will be added Sunday.

The resort celebrates Octoberfest Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the base lodge, where there will be live music, German food and beer.

The resort will honor all 2011 to 2012 season passes. Daily lift tickets cost $20 and tickets for scenic chairlift rides are $10 for adults and $8 for kids. Ski and snowboard rentals will be available but ski school will not be offering lessons.