Ski resorts delay openings

Despite the best efforts of their snowmaking teams, two Vermont resorts have pushed their planned opening dates back a week due to unseasonably warm temperatures.

Q Burke and Bolton Valley plan to spin their lifts to life on Dec. 18 and 19, respectively, after delays to their initial targeted opening dates. Bolton first announced the news in its Alpine Snow Report on Tuesday, then reiterated it in a Facebook post the next day.

“Our snowmakers have been doing the best they can, but cannot compete with the 40+ degree temperatures Mother Nature has been throwing at us over the past several weeks,” read the announcement. “The forecast for the next few days and into the weekend looks warm as well.

Our guys will get out there at every opportunity with the goal of getting the mountain open on Saturday, December 19.”

Q Burke’s snow report released Wednesday echoed the same outlook.

“The roller coaster continues with some back-to-back snow making sessions followed by temperatures rising,” read the report. “Looking ahead, this next front coming in is still iffy whether we will experience an all rain event or a changeover to snow.”