TANNERSVILLE -- Many avid skiers in our area got their first day out on the slopes Saturday. Ski resorts are getting an early start in hopes that this season is better than last year.
On the first day of ski season at Camelback Mountain Resort near Tannersville, skiers took a shuttle to the lower part of the mountain.
That's where the two groomed trails were. Not much, but just enough for skiers to kick off the season and get their 'ski legs' back.
"It's good enough, you know it's early there's not too many slopes open, but it's good enough, I'm happy and the price is right," said Bruce Pierson of Philadelphia.
Because there are fewer trails open, Camelback dropped ticket prices by 60%. Almost 500 showed up to hit the slopes on Saturday, and not just because of the price, because they say it's time.
"We actually start talking about it as soon as Labor Day is over. We ski 25 days a year, and we start planning on Wednesday nights, where we're going to go and who has the best conditions," added Susan Epstein, also of Philadelphia.
The conditions were good enough on another mountain in Monroe County, owners at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area opened just one trail at the resort near Marshalls Creek. They said the next two weeks are crucial to make up for business lost after a mild winter last year.
"It was one of the worst weather years that I remember, and we'd like to see it turn around quickly," said manager Jim Tust.
Back at Camelback, it was the snowboarders and skiers themselves hoping for a good winter ahead. Diehards have their own way of manipulating the weather.
"Some superstitions, people come with their old ski gear first run of the year just so they have a good year. So, people have their superstitions, just like any sport," said Brian Bossuyt, Director of Sales and Marketing for Camelback Mountain Resort.