Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort (LVSSR) was the first ski area in the entire USA to open its lifts for the 2011/12 season on Saturday (Oct 8th).

Opened early thanks to good snowfall
After nine inches of snow fell, due to a recent storm, and LVSSR managed to make another four inches; they decided to open chair 3.

According to LVSSR’s management reports, several hundred guests have taken advantage of the early opening, including out of state skiers and snowboarders.

Chair 3, which was openined at 7.30am, serves an all-terrain park for skiing and snowboarding and didn’t shut until 4pm on Saturday. It was then opened again on Sunday from 9am to 4pm.

When speaking to Bangor Daily News , LVSSR’s president, Kevin Stickelman, said: “It’s very exciting that a ski area in Las Vegas is the first to open for the season.

“We’re undergoing a major expansion — a plan that was approved in July. This weekend was the perfect opportunity to share some of our recent improvements with our guests.”

A lot of money has been invested into the resort, this summer a 10-12 year plan was initiated that would see $35m spent on expanding the number of trails to 50 and lifts to 10.

LVSSR’s opening coincided with special weekend events, including hosting the finish area of the 17.5-mile Mount Charleston Hill Climb 2011 bike race on Saturday and LVSSR’s first-ever Oktoberfest celebration on Sunday. In addition to those skiing and snowboarding, more than two hundred people enjoyed scenic chairlifts rides during the weekend’s festivities.