KELLY: FOR SOME PEOPLE SEEING SNOW THIS EARLY IS FRIGHTENING …
BUT FOR SKIERS LIKE COLIN BLAIS IT MEANS HITTING THE SLOPES …
BLAIS: First snow means ski season is coming.
KELLY: AND GREEK PEAK MOUNTAIN RESORT WILL BE READY FOR THEM THIS FRIDAY…
AT 10-12 INCHES OF natural SNOW – THE SNOW machineS ARE WHIRRING …
NAT POP OF SNOW MACHINES
KELLY: AND THE GROOMERS ARE PUT TO WORK …
NAT POP OF SNOW CAT
KELLY: VP OF SALES DREW BRODERICK SAYS THE SEASON PASSES HAVE BEEN SELLING SINCE FEBRUARY …
SHE SAYS PASS HOLDERS ARE EAGER FOR THE SEASON TO START …
BRODERICK: Opening day of ski season is almost like when you return to college after a summer break. Everyone’s excited to see each other. It’s a very close-knit community.”
KELLY: BRODERICK SAYS THE GOAL EACH YEAR IS TO OPEN THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING…
RIGHT NOW THEY ARE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE…
BRODERICK: We watch the weather minute by minute and take advantage of every opportunity to make snow. Like I said – this is a great early start.
KELLY: THERE ARE ONE HUNDRED AND 40 SNOW MACHINES ON THE MOUNTAIN …
EIGHTY-FIVE CURRENTLY WORKING TO ENSURE THE SNOW STICKS FOR THIS OPENING WEEKEND …
KELLY: GREEK PEAK MOUNTAIN RESORT EXPECTS 5-6 TRAILS TO BE OPEN …
DAY PASSES WILL BE SOLD AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE OF 49 DOLLARS …
JULIA KELLY N-C-C NEWS …
CORTLAND, N.Y. (NCC News) — Temperatures dropping and snow flurrying on the ground means one thing for Greek Peak Mountain Resort: ski season is here.
“Once the snow started and the temperatures drop where we can make snow, the phones started ringing off the hooks,” said Drew Broderick, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Greek Peak.
The resort is opening ahead of schedule this year. Broderick said the goal is to open the day after Thanksgiving, but thanks to recent snowstorms the resort is able to open this weekend.
Eighty-five of the resort’s one hundred and forty snow machines are producing snow to prepare for this weekend. Broderick said the amount of artificial snow they produce depends on the weather conditions.
Ten inches of natural snow on the ground makes the best snow condition for grooming the mountain with artificial snow. It makes it easier for the groomers to climb the mountain if the natural snow is packing – the consistency you would want to make a snowball.
Greek Peak plans to open at least five of its ski trails this weekend. Broderick said she thinks this early opening will encourage people to get outside.
“Winter in New York is long,” said Broderick. “You’ve got to find a way to get out and enjoy it … being exposed to the sunshine and fresh air will help.”
