Pocono News Section

Getting Ready for an Early Ski Season

Getting Ready for an Early Ski Season - Monday, November 17, 2008 at 5:20PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Monday, Nov 17, 2008 @ 05:20pm EST
KIDDER TOWNSHIP, CARBON COUNTY - For Frankie Gorbacz, ski season starts in September. She's in charge of the housekeeping at Big Boulder ski area.

She said she's had to "shampoo the carpeting, clean all the bathrooms down, sanitize them."

Frankie has spent months making sure the ski area is ready to go for early season skiers.

"When they come here I want them to feel like they're at home and that it's as clean as their home would be," she said.

A sparkling lodge to complement the sparkling snow that is about to fall.

Big Boulder spokesperson Michael Cloeren said, "We're elves getting ready for Christmas."

The Big Boulder elves have set up their snow guns and are ready to work their magic every night this week so they can open Saturday morning.

"It's just so exciting to get the sport of skiing early this year," said Cloeren.

The first area of Big Boulder to open is called Freedom Park. It's a basic ski trail and a terrain park. The rest of the slopes will open later.

"It's our intensity to open up early so that all the local businesses, the restaurants the hotels will generate business early in the season," said Cloeren.

Big Boulder has been the first ski resort in the state to open and the last to close for the past two years. It's been a great way to attract people who want to vacation close to home. Cloeren explained, "Guests can come up from the Philadelphia area and locally so I think it's going to be a great year for Jack Frost and Big Boulder."

If you're one of those guests, shine up your skis. There are just a few days left until you can hit the slopes.

Other area ski resorts may also open soon. Representatives from Camelback Mountain in Tannersville say they could also open on Saturday.