More than six feet of snow hit mid-mountain allowing Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort to open two weeks ahead of schedule. Mark the date: Friday, Nov. 5.

“In more than 30 years in Little Cottonwood Canyon, I can’t remember an October with this much snow,” said Snowbird President Bob Bonar. “I wish we could open earlier but we’re getting employees trained and the mountain ready as fast as possible.”

Snowbird will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5-7, with the Tram, Gadzoom and Wilbere chairlifts. To facilitate employee training and mountain set-up, Snowbird will be closed Nov. 8-11 then re-open for the duration of the season on Friday, Nov. 12.

The early-season ticket price will be $45/day. The Tram and lifts will operate under standard winter hours.

“The forecast is looking like we’ll receive several more feet of snow this week,” said Snowbird Snow Safety Director Peter Schory. “We hope to have the Cirque ready for skiing and riding on opening day.”

A Nov. 5 opening date will be the earliest in Snowbird’s 33-year history and would stretch Utah’s longest ski resort season to almost seven months.

To see the latest conditions at Snowbird, go to www.snowbird.com.