Braving the warm weather, Killington Ski Resort, the largest in the state and the East, is set to open Thursday as its counterparts in Vermont aim for their own returns in late November or early December.

Newly independent Killington after local people purchased The site of Utah-based Powdr Corp. recently deployed 500 low-energy snowmaking guns to cover trails not only for customers but also for the World Cup planned for Thanksgiving weekend.

“We owe our snowmaking team a round of applause,” Killington president Mike Solimano said Wednesday.

The resort will restrict itself to pass holders on opening day before welcoming the general public on Friday. website. Stating that it will only offer “improved terrain” and “early season conditions,” the company promised that the Superstar competition course will be ready for the international ski racing circuit’s only U.S. stop for women in two weeks.

Hoping to follow suit, the rest of the state’s largest venues are trying to open by the end of the month, while smaller venues are targeting December. Vermont Ski Areas Association.

“We’re optimistic about the ski business,” association president Molly Mahar said Wednesday. “Obviously we’ve had milder weather, but usually the unofficial start of the ski season is Thanksgiving weekend, and I think we’re on track to see that this year.”

This fall’s conditions are not new. Two years ago, hot weather canceled seven of the World Cup’s first eight rounds in Europe, leading Killington to fear that race could also be on the list when temperatures soared to 72 degrees on Nov. 12. 24-hour snow guns allow the International Ski and Snowboard Federation to green light the event just 10 days before its scheduled start.

“While Mother Nature is not in our favor,” Killington spokeswoman Amy Laramie said this week, “we are confident in our snowmaking abilities.”

Other Vermont ski areas are also turning to technology. In the southern half of the state, Stratton Mountain Resort is investing more than $2 million in the first phase of a multi-year study to add new snowmaking pipes, fire hydrants and guns. website. To the north, at the smaller Mad River Glen, the water pump’s motor, bearings and seals are reportedly being overhauled.

“We work with what we have,” said Mad River Glen spokesman Ry Young.