Ski mountains open but hoping for snow

SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- The walk from the parking lot at Mount Southington is dirt and the snow guns sit idle but for 50 degrees in January, the mountain is still open and still has snow.

"They are a little slushy and extra slow but it's great for the little kids. The weather's warm and they have plenty of coverage for what the little kids are gonna be doing so it's great out here today," said Matt Adams of Southington.

For the second year in a row mother nature has turned her back on Connecticut ski ares with little snow, rain, fog and warm weather but at Mount Southington they learned from last year and have made more snow, faster and for longer through the last cold snap.

"We did start off with a very slow start and we did get some cold weather and fortunately we have 11 of 14 trails open right now," said Ed Beckley of Mount Southington.

Mother nature may have it out for the ski areas this year but at Mount Southington they have brand new snow guns which they will need. All of the snow there is machine made and they say Wednesday or Thursday they will be able to flip that switch and start making snow in time for the 3 day weekend.

"We can make snow very quickly and I think that's the important thing, is that by the end of the weekend I'm sure that we will have all 14 trails open with a lot of snow on 'em," said Beckley.

Beckley thinks they can save the season this weekend. It will be a turning point. With cold temperatures and even a little snow in the forecast, they can get back on track if mother nature doesn't change her mind again.

"That's Connecticut so it changes by the minute, you know, hopefully it will get better soon," said Rick Mailhot of Southington.