The announcement was made Thursday afternoon by the Olympic Regional Development Authority, which operates Whiteface Mountain, along with several other venues throughout the state.

Whiteface is open to just season pass holders today, with the mountain opening to everyone beginning Saturday, according to the ORDA press release.

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Operation plan

Early season conditions are seen at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington from the Summit Quad on Nov. 30, 2023. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

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The Face Lift and the Summit Quad lifts are set to spin today through Sunday. They are scheduled to open at 10 a.m. today and 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Face Lift will be open to uphill traffic until 3 p.m. and the Summit Quad until 3:30 p.m. all three days.

With no other lifts open — including the Cloudsplitter Gondola — today and this weekend, the only way to access the slopes by lift is to take the Face Lift from the mountain’s base area to the Summit Quad — Face Lift’s upper terminal is adjacent to the Summit Quad’s lower terminal — and then taking that lift to the ski area’s summit, where the trails that will be open can be skied from.

The Face Lift will remain open in the downward direction for an extended period after it closes to skiers wishing to travel up the mountain. This will enable people heading down to get from the open trails exclusively on the upper portion of the mountain back to the base Riva Ridge, Paron’s Run, Ilmar’s Alley, Lower Northway and Summit Express are expected to be open and will have been groomed. All skiers and riders will need to take the Face Lift back down to the base lodge when they are done skiing or want to head inside for the base, as all of those open trails are on the upper half of the mountain, which the Summit Quad services.

ORDA notes that skiers and riders should expect some areas of patchy snow coverage on open trails, as crews work to continue to build the snowpack. Whiteface’s opening weekend operations plans are subject to change.

“Guests should anticipate early season conditions with skiing and riding on intermediate and advanced terrain only. Beginner terrain will not be available opening weekend,” the release stated.

Mountain officials note that the mountain will temporarily close again after Sunday. It will be closed on Monday with reopening plans to be announced later. The schedule next week will be dependent on weather and conditions, according to ORDA.

The Base Lodge will be open to guests today through Sunday, with limited food and beverage services through the lodge’s Cloudspin Bar and Grill. The mountain’s apparel store, as well as rental and tuning shops will be open this opening weekend, according to ORDA. Private lessons for intermediate and above skiers and riders are available by reservation.

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Opening on an early note

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The 2024 opening date beat last year by a week — as Whiteface did not open until Nov. 24, 2023 last season. Mountain officials credit favorable weather conditions, a robust snowmaking infrastructure and dedication from the mountain’s snowmaking crew, who performed much of their work during the overnight hours when temperatures are colder and more favorable — especially during the early season — for snow production.

Snowmaking began on Nov. 8, according to ORDA. Cooler weather this week allowed them to move their opening up from when they had originally planned.

“(The crew) began laying down a thick base with the help of some limited natural snow at higher elevations,” the release stated. “With nighttime temperatures dropping in recent days, the crew was able to establish a solid base lower on the mountain, enabling terrain to open earlier than originally anticipated.”

Gore and Belleayre mountains — both operated by ORDA — were also scheduled to open today for the season. No other resorts in the state are officially open for the ski season at this time.

These are among the earliest season resort openings in the eastern United States. Killington Resort, in Vermont, and Sunday River, in Maine, opened for the season Thursday, according to their websites.

For more information, visit whiteface.com.