The ski and snowboard season began on many Maritime mountains this week with the temperatures cooling and a fresh pile of snow on the ground.
Warm temperatures delayed openings at many locations, but there is still plenty of optimism for another busy season.
"I'm really excited,” said Joanne Penny, who was enjoying a day on the hill with her daughter at Ski Ben Eoin on Saturday. “I hope that she loves it and I hope we can make this something that the whole family does together regularly."
Ski Ben Eoin opened Friday, meeting its target of getting skiers and snowboarders on the mountain to begin the new year.
"We opened (Friday) with a good crowd and we got a fairly good crowd (Saturday),” said Kevin MacInnis, Ski Ben Eoin general manager. “That's little indicators to tell us people are pleased with the product.”
Only a few trails are open, but it's hoped the mountain will be fully up and running by mid-January.
"Glad I finally got out,” said skier Connor Harroun. “I was waiting all Christmas break to get out."
Nova Scotia's Ski Wentworth and Ski Cape Smokey are still waiting to open.
Poley Mountain and Crabbe Mountain in New Brunswick were able to kick things off only after Christmas.
It’s a late start, but earlier than last year’s opening day of the season. MacInnis says the past two snowy winters have created momentum they hope will translate into a busy 2016 season.
"We're looking to grow in incremental parts,” he said. “Five to six per cent would be really good for us."
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald.
