On-and-off cold temperatures over the past week allowed many Mid-Atlantic ski resorts to dust off their snowguns and take them for a test run. Warmer temperatures this week will delay snowmaking, but the downward trend in temperatures is clear, and snowmaking will soon allow resorts to begin their 2003-2004 winter season. North Carolina’s Sugar Mountain Resort was the first Mid-Atlantic resort to open this season, offering skiing and boarding on two trails this past weekend.

This article contains photos from recent snowmaking efforts at Mid-Atlantic resorts.

Snowmaking began briefly at Maryland’s Wisp Resort on November 8, 2003, and resumed on November 13 with the return of colder temperatures. The photo above, taken late last week, shows snowmaking underway on Squirrel Cage. Wisp hopes to open later this month. Photo provided by Wisp Resort.

West Virginia’s Timberline Resort began testing its snowmaking system late last week. Photo provided by Janette Bennett.

Also in West Virginia, Snowshoe Mountain Resort is sliding towards its opening date with aggressive snowmaking whenever temperatures allow. Late last week, the resort had 71 guns running on 11 trails. Snowshoe hopes to open before the Thanksgiving holiday. Photo provided by Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

Virginia’s Homestead Resort has a brand new snowmaking system, and it was fired up for the first time late last week. Photo provided by the Homestead Resort.

Of course, snowmaking is also in gear at resorts north of the Mid-Atlantic. New York’s Hunter Mountain Resort began snowmaking in early November, and opened for the season on November 15. Photo provided by Hunter Resort.