A cable came loose from a pulley last Saturday at Ontake ski resort in central Japan, trapping 90 riders in gondola cars for up to 12 hours. Rescuers had to climb the ice-covered slopes, ascend the structure, pry open the doors, and lower the passengers one by one 80 feet to the ground. Nobody was hurt in either incident.
Other than that, the December snows have been ideal for area ski operators looking for a merry holiday season.
"Even if the snow hadn't fallen and if it stayed cold, our snowmaking has been going very well," said Bill Swain, Sugarloaf's communications man. "We would have increased our terrain without help from Mother Nature, but Mother Nature's help is greatly appreciated."
Vermont hasn't had this much terrain open in eight years, according to the Vermont Ski Areas Association. Killington has 130 trails open, more than tripling last year's trail count at the same time, while Stowe is 100 percent open.
Last season, Jiminy Peak in Hancock, like many other areas, was just trying to stay open during a lackluster December. Now, they are 75 percent open. "Between the two storms we got about 15 inches of snow," said Jiminy's Betsy Strickler. "We have a base of 4 to 5 feet, which is really great for this early in the season."
Waterville Valley's steepest trail, Bobby's Run, is open, a testament to a snowy December.
"That's the mark of a great season, when Lower Bobby's is open before the holidays," said Waterville's Deb Moore.
On the Nordic side, skiers have been making their way through the woods. "There is a lot of pent-up demand from last season," she said. "There is a lot of interest out there."
And it's still autumn. Time will tell what winter will bring when its makes its official entrance Saturday.
Then there were three
Taos Ski Valley in northern New Mexico opened for the season Dec. 14. Not only were skiers greeted with the best opening-day snow conditions in three decades, but management also sprang a surprise announcement on visitors: Starting March 19, the mountain will lift its longtime ban on snowboarding.
