This week's weather forecast left wide grins on those associated with the Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. "Let it Snow" is music to the ears of Blacktail General Manager Steve Spencer. That's precisely what's in store for the local ski hill this week, according to weather reports.

The entire ski area is scheduled to open Friday, Dec. 9. It's a little earlier than last season's opening and the first time since last January that the bottom will be skiable.

"We are very excited to have quality snow conditions to open," Spencer said. Those conditions include a 33-inch snow base at mid-mountain. Marketing Director Asia Gray visited the ski area Monday and seemed pleased with the opening day outlook.

"I walked out, took a look and it was very beautiful," Gray said. "It was all white. We're hoping to get a little more snow on the bottom so we will be 100 percent open on Dec. 9. That's a better experience for customers and there's supposed to be more snow this week--there is lots in the forecast."

The conditions appear much better than the same time last season. Gray said there was about a foot less at mid-mountain last Thanksgiving. Blacktail's earliest start was Thanksgiving two years ago. Typically, the mountain opens in mid-December, according to Spencer.

Last year, the bottom of the mountain was open just two weeks because of an unseasonably mild winter. It's looking more favorable this season, Gray said.

"We're very excited about the prospects," she noted. "It's been a while since the bottom of the mountain has been skied and it will be like skiing on new terrain."

The mountain will open Dec. 9-11 and will then go to the regular Wednesday-Sunday schedule. The recent snowfall should provide a good base and Blacktail also purchased a small snowmaking gun this season to produce more of the white stuff if necessary.

"We're a reverse hill with the lodge at the top and we'll probably be doing a little snowmaking," Gray said. "We've got a small gun and we can make snow at the top and push it around with a Cat to fill in areas with extra snow."

Once the mountain is blanketed with more snow, a terrain park with jumps will be added for both skiers and snowboarders. Prices for daily lift tickets are as follows: Adults $30, teens $20, children $13, and 7 and under and 70 and over are free. The lifts run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Blacktail consist of 1,440 feet of vertical, 24 named runs and many others, 70 acres of tree skiing, all north facing slopes and a full-service lodge at an elevation of 6,676 feet.

Blacktail's Wake Up Ol Man Winter Pre-season party is scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. at the ski area. Representatives will be at The Docks Restaurant taking season pass photos and selling raffle tickets from 5 to 7 p.m. The Docks will be offering an all-you-can-eat pizza and chili buffet and drink specials for the evening. Live music from Big Daddy and the Blue Notes begins at 7:30 p.m. There is no cover charge.

Raffle prizes include a package from Somers Bay Cabins, K2 Apache Skis, Garage Snowboard, gift certificates to The Docks, a handmade winter quilt, a ski lessons package and a season pass to Blacktail.

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