Despite the weather, Ski Brule is open for the season.
IRON RIVER -- Don't let the warm weather fool you...it's skiing season in the U.P.
Today, Ski Brule outside of Iron River opened its doors for the first time this season to skiers and snowboarders. Hundreds of people came out for the event.
Among them is potential Olympian, Nick Baumgartner.
"Next month on the 18th I have one of the most important races of my life with the Olympic Qualifier,” said Baumgartner. “So anytime you can get on snow, start getting the feel of what you had at the end of last year. You get that confidence for anything. It's a good thing."
But others, the non-competitors, are just glad to be back on the slopes.
"When ski resorts start opening up, it's just like an adrenaline rush,” said snowboarder Scott Moline, who skipped school to be at opening day. “You're like, wow I get to start all over, a new season. When Brule opens first, I mean it's just that much sooner that you get to get on the hills."
However, Mother Nature made getting the slopes ready for the season no easy task.
"With the unseasonably warm weather, it was a challenge to be able to make snow and get open,” said Ski Brule Operations Manager Jessica Polich. “Normally we're open the first weekend of November. We've been open as early as October 24th, so we're a little later than usual, but we're very pleased to be able to be open today."
The resort made enough snow to open the Big Bear slope and the rail section. Combine that with free lift tickets on opening day and it's no wonder people are eager to hit the slopes.
"Everybody here today are a bunch of kids,” Polich said. “They're thrilled, they're excited, they're exuberant, so happy to be able to be out on the snow. It makes my job a lot more fun."
Depending on the weather, Ski Brule is hoping to open up even more slopes Thanksgiving weekend.
1:52 - Iron Mountain Bureau
Ski Brule has made a lot of snow considering the warm weather. One slope is open so far and rails are open for skiers and snowboarders as well.
Operations Manager Jessica Polich said over 300 people showed up for the opening this morning. Ski Brule will be opening up more slopes as the weather gets colder, possibly as early as Thanksgiving weekend.
All the skiers and snowboarders I spoke with were excited to get back on the slopes and can't wait for the real snow to start falling.
Hear what they had to say and see the full story on your TV6 News Tonight.
9:15 - Iron Mountain Bureau
You wouldn't know it from the weather, but today is the start of ski season.
Ski Brule in Iron River is now open for the skiing season. I'm talking with the manager and some skiers about what it's like to be back on the slopes and how anxious they are for the snow to come.
Check back throughout the day on www.uppermichiganssource.com for updates.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC