The wait is just about over for skiers in our area.
Thursday is like Christmas Eve for snow shredders itching to hit the mountain.
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe opens Friday morning, after months of hard work to get the mountain ready.
Despite all the work that goes into getting the resort ready, once the season officially starts, the resort said it's all worth it in the end.
"We go from like 50 employees in the summer to 700 plus in the winter and the resort just changes," said Marketing Director for Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. "It goes from being quiet to being a big city again. There's a lot of action."
Most of the hard work begins in August with the snow making process.
The mountain received a few inches of natural snow, but not enough to reach the minimum ten inches they need to open.
So, snow makers have been hard at work.
"Last year we did get a little bit more natural snow early," Pierce said. "This year has been a lot more on the snow making side. So, some of those efforts have been heightened a bit. If you ask some of our snow makers that are tired, they'll say oh no we had to work a lot harder this year."
The natural snow they got added to the moisture of the hill, which when it freezes helps the snow stick.
On Thursday the ski patrol held some training while the lifts were being worked on to make sure they are up to speed.
Beginner slopes, skiing lesson, and rental won't be available for opening day.
Those are expected to open around Thanksgiving.
The lodge café has been revamped with a new look.
Once the powder arrives to the mountain, people can expect more on the horizon.
"Once we get more snow, they're going to see our deck area right off the top of Lakeview," Pierce said. "We've enhanced that. Once we got more base depth, we'll get that cooking."
Work will be done until the very end to ensure the resort is in the best shape possible.
"Tonight, they're going to turn on the guns again I'm sure and then almost everything you see out here will get groomed, buffed probably first thing in the morning and making sure that it's ready for tracks."
The main lodge opens at 8 a.m. on Friday with the lifts setting off at 9 a.m.
