MONROE COUNTY -- The snow on Wednesday mixed with bitter cold last week helped Camelback Mountain in the Poconos get its earliest opening in years.
Skiers and boarders were on the slopes for the first time this season at the resort on Friday and thrilled to be there.
Black Friday is White Friday on Camelback Mountain. The ski resort in Monroe County welcomed boarders and skiers for its earliest opening since 2008, and they were excited when they heard the season at Camelback would start so soon.
"Oh, man, I was so excited. I told my friends as fast as I could," said Mike Aiello of West Chester.
Aiello insisted his dad bring him here from the Philadelphia area.
"He's been talking about skiing since August, basically."
Others made the short drive from spots in the Poconos to celebrate the early start of the ski season here.
"Actually, we had off work today, so it was the perfect opportunity to come ski."
People lined up to get season passes. They're available at discounted prices until Sunday.
With the season beginning weeks early, those with passes think they'll get more of their money's worth.
"The conditions aren't too bad for the first day, and season pass, gotta use it, so I figured let's go ski!"
Camelback made a lot of snow when it got really cold last week, kept it all piled up so it wouldn't melt when it got warm, then spread it all out when it got cold again.
"The last time we really opened for Thanksgiving weekend was in 2008/2009, and to open with natural snow as well, it's a great thing to have. We hardly ever get to do that," said Brian Bossuyt, Camelback.
"Why not bring the kids and get them active out on the snow?" asked Lorrie Allegra.
It's the first day skiing for Lorrie Allegra's three year old. They're here from Atlanta and don't get much skiing there. They lucked out seeing the early opening while visiting family nearby.
"It worked out very nicely for us!"
The weather has worked out nicely for everyone here.
