Turner Mountain Ski Area opens

With winter’s arrival and the snow’s incessant accumulations, the alpine playground of Turner Mountain Ski Area opened Monday. The mountain received 10 inches of new snow within the last 24 hours and as of Monday night, snow continued to fall.

The current snow depth is 30 inches on the 5,952-foot summit and 24 inches at the 3,842-foot base.

Bruce Zwang, trustee on the Turner Board of Directors, had hoped for a Dec. 19 opening. Snow was present but the freezing arctic temperatures made snow conditions inhospitable for recreation.

Zwang said he was a little disappointed with the later-than-expected start but conditions have improved and the mountain forecast should bring more snow throughout the week.

“It looks real good,” Zwang said. “We got a pretty good dump Saturday and Sunday. Things are grooming up nicely.”

Current Turner conditions are powder with Pneumonia Ridge, Cabinet Avenue and No Go machine-groomed.

The mountain will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 4 and then maintain normal operating hours of Friday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Rental of the mountain is available Monday through Thursday beginning Jan. 5.

For pricing information or to check the latest conditions, go online to www.skiturner.com or call 293-8326.