MARQUETTE -- Good news for skiers in the Central U.P.  Marquette Mountain is opening up on a limited basis Saturday and Sunday.

The opening had been scheduled for Thanksgiving, but the fresh snow this week and the continuing cold temperatures helped out considerably.

"Great news, not just getting open, but the fresh snow was white gold to us as far as covering the runs, giving us a good base, a good start," said General Manager Vern Barber.

Only one run will be open this weekend--Snowfield.

Currently, 24 snow guns are pumping 870 gallons of water per hour onto the slopes.

The Mountain will be open for the weekend, then close and reopen on Friday for the season.