Solitude, Utah (Ski Press)-Solitude Mountain Resort opened Friday with 4 lifts on a 27” mid-mountain base. Sunny blue skies and perfect corduroy greeted visitors welcoming the 2008-2009 ski season.

In the Northeast, the recent cold weather allowed most ski areas across Michigan to fire up their snow guns. Ski areas planning to open on or before Friday, November 28 (day after Thanksgiving) include:  Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, Marquette Mountain, Ski Brule (opened 11/10) Crystal Mountain, Nubs Nob, Alpine Valley, Mt. Holly, Mt. Brighton, Pine Knob, Indianhead Mountain, Pine Mountain, Caberfae Peaks, Cannonsburg, Norway Mountain and Shanty Creek.

And, New Hampshire’s Loon Mountain plans to open for the winter season on November 22, weather permitting.

Following a record 2007-08 winter season, which featured the debut of the $13 million South Peak expansion, this year Loon has invested over $3 million in new terrain and improvements.