Snowmaking began on the east coast on Saturday, October 7 early in the morning. In an unprecedented move, it was Sunday River, Maine and not Killington, Vermont that fired up the guns first. Both mountains are owned by the American Skiing Company. Most of the time, due to its higher elevation, Killington is the first resort on the East Coast to make snow, and the first to to open. Sunday River posts an opening date of November 10, 2006. It is not an unlikely scenario for Killington to open in October. However, current weather reports show only 2 days in the next 10 in which snowmaking can occur at night. Even though Killington may be a month away from opening, Loveland Ski Area in Colorado began making snow weeks ago and with lows in the 20’s most nights and snow in the forecast, their opening may not be far away.

The Maine resort tested its snowmaking system on its Broadway trail as early morning temperatures dipped down to the 20's
Sunday River makes snow on October 7, 2006. The Maine resort tested its snowmaking system on its Broadway trail as early morning temperatures dipped down to the 20’s Photos provided by Sunday River.