WHITE PASS -- Jason Tross of Olympia was counting down the days until he could reintroduce his skis to white powder.

He's usually the first to board the chairlift. But this year, with his wife Lindsay and 4-year-old daughter Hannah in tow, the 29-year-old is enjoying sharing his passion with his family.

"I am incredibly stoked," said Tross, adding that he took his daughter out of preschool for the occasion. "I'm so excited for this."

This enthusiasm was shared by hundreds who flocked to the slopes during opening day at White Pass on Friday. Bundled in their winter gear, many admitted to skipping school or work to be there.

With the influx of fluffy snow blanketing the ski runs, missing the opening was simply not an option -- especially for Dustin Price of Moses Lake.

"I love it. I couldn't wait for it to open up," the 18-year-old snowboarder said. "It's like a getaway to go to White Pass. You forget about everything and have fun."

Friday marked the second-earliest opening in the past two decades, with the record set on Nov. 4, 1994.

Then and now, there was a mild El Niño weather pattern, said marketing director Kathleen Goyette. Although this can be nerve-wracking for some ski areas, it's brought thick, white snow to White Pass.

Most openings take place after Thanksgiving. The early start was possible this year because of the snowpack and its quality, Goyette said. As of Friday morning, there were 31 inches at the summit and 24 inches at the base. Another 4 inches was predicted by day's end.

"The snow has fallen without much wind and has a decent moisture content," Goyette said. "It definitely sticks and doesn't blow away."

Because of the coverage, beginning and intermediate runs were open Friday and will remain so today and Sunday from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Steep runs lack sufficient snow and remain closed.

After this weekend, White Pass will close again for a few days. Depending on conditions, it could reopen Friday.

Robert Knight of Olympia wasn't as concerned about the future as he was about the here and now. Since he had the day off from work, he took the opp-
ortunity to drive solo to White Pass.

"It's better this way. I don't have to wait for people," the 28-year-old snowboarder said. "I'm excited to be here opening day. I'm surprised how early the opening is."

Thomas Bimbi of Yakima was also happy with the unseasonable winter conditions. He arrived at the ski resort at 8 a.m. with a group of friends, and the only thing on his mind was taking advantage of the "delicious white powder."

"It's killing me talking to you right now," the 28-year-old skier joked. "Today is a good opening day. There are no lines."

The early opening is great news for White Pass, but the economy is a worry, Goyette said. So far, the sale of season passes is up 2 percent from last season, but she's still waiting to see how sales of daily lift tickets will fare.

"It's obviously a concern for every business in our country right now," she said. "We definitely are looking forward to this early snow and a long season to propel us to the spring and summer as we work on our expansion area."

The $8.5 million expansion project will nearly double the size of the ski area to about 1,600 acres. Construction began last summer and is expected to conclude sometime next year.

When finished, it will feature two lifts, a 3,000-square-foot-mid-mountain lodge and 13 new ski runs in the Hogback Basin, southwest of the current ski area. The new runs will take skiers about 500 feet higher than the existing area, which tops out at about 6,000 feet.

In the past five years, the ski area has averaged about 110,000 visitors a year. With the expansion, an additional 60,000 visitors can be accommodated.

White Pass Ski Area

* Season passes for adult downhill skiers cost $700, while a full-day lift ticket costs $50 for adults on weekends and holidays. Children 6 and younger and seniors 73 and older ski free. Rental equipment and ski lessons are also available.

* White Pass skiing will run today and Sunday from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. and may resume for daily operations on Friday.

* For a full list of prices and to check current skiing conditions, go to www.skiwhitepass.com or call 509-672-3101.

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 509-577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com