Ski Season Begins With Early Snow

Fall will take on new meaning today for many, thanks to the recent blast of winterlike weather, which has covered the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains with snow.

Snow Summit in Big Bear Lake received four to six inches Wednesday night and will open today, the earliest opening in years.

“This is the earliest we’ve ever opened on man-made and natural snow,” said Jen Taquet, spokeswoman for the mountain. “In the 1970s we opened this early with just natural snow, but we had to close two days later because it didn’t last. Usually we open around Thanksgiving.”

Snow Summit has made snow nightly and the recent storm provided the necessary cover--the base is 12 to 18 inches--to justify opening intermediate and advanced runs on the Miracle Mile.

In the Wrightwood area, Mountain High West has a 12- to 18-inch base and is scheduled to open two intermediate runs--for day and night skiing--Saturday. Mountain High East, formerly Holiday Hill, won’t open until after Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, Bear Mountain in Big Bear Lake is scheduled to open Nov. 8. Snow Valley in nearby Running Springs has scheduled Nov. 16 as opening day but may move that up a week. Mt. Baldy has a six-inch base and has not begun making snow--citing a shortage of water--but is still hoping to open by Thanksgiving.