Published: December 04, 2008 09:32 pm      

Winterplace to open Saturday after help from winter’s early chill

Although Mother Nature is blamed for many things, this time she has been given credit for an earlier than anticipated opening of Winterplace Ski Resort in Ghent.

“Winter has come in like a lion, so far, and that has been great news for Winterplace,” resort president Terry Pfeiffer said. “Plus our snowmakers have done an outstanding job of putting the white stuff down, and we’re ready to go.”

The ski resort will open with seven trails and three lifts for skiing and riding.

“The amount of snow we’ve seen this year has really helped for us to be able to open about a week early,” Pfeiffer said.

Winterplace is opening Saturday with a special early season rate.

“The phones are ringing and people are booking reservations,” he said. “People are excited and ready to get out and ski and board.”

The special early season price of $29.95 includes a lift ticket, rental equipment and a lesson, according to Pfeiffer.

“This normally costs nearly $70, so this is a great early season deal,” he said.

Pfeiffer says Winterplace has expanded for 16 consecutive years.

“Winterplace has increased its snowmaking power again this season by adding additional snowmaking equipment, including fully automated snow guns,” he said.

Pfeiffer says the resort has also added additional top of the line Rossignol skis and snowboards to the rental equipment fleet.

Winterplace offers nine lifts, 28 trails, a terrain park and a snowtubing park with two super carpet lifts.

“Our goal is to provide the finest skiing and resort experience in the Southeast,” Pfeiffer said. “During the past 16 years, we’ve made numerous improvements and additions to Winterplace to ensure that skiers and snowboarders of all levels have a great experience skiing and riding.”

For more information, call toll-free at 1-800-607-7669 or visit www.winterplace.com.

— E-mail:

fpace@register-herald.com