It’s been a rainy summer season in the mid-Atlantic this summer, and skiers and boarders are hoping some of that rain continues as snow once winter arrives. If the first weekend in October is any sign, Mother Nature just might oblige. Snow began falling at higher elevations in West Virginia on Friday evening, September 30, and continued through the weekend. Snowshoe Mountain Resort reports receiving 9 inches of total snowfall by the end of the storm.

September 30 marks the earliest snowfall for the Pocahontas County resort in six seasons. In addition to receiving fresh snow, Snowshoe took advantage of the colder temperatures to test out its snowmaking system.

Nine inches of snow fell on Snowshoe Mountain Resort during the first weekend of October. Photo provided by Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

Skiers shouldn’t strap their skis to the ski racks just yet, though - while nine inches fell on Snowshoe last weekend, temperatures at the resort are expected to climb into the 60s for the upcoming weekend. The storm provided a nice preview of what is to come, but Snowshoe doesn’t plan on beginning formal snowmaking operations until early November. The resort is currently planning to open for the season on November 23, 2011. In the meantime, Snowshoe is offering a 20% discount on lodging and rental equipment booked by October 31.