Crabbe Mountain opens for the season under new ownership

Saturday was the first dayof the new season at Crabbe Mountainunderthenew ownership of a group ofcitizens and local business owners.

More than 100skiersandsnowboardersran the slope in Central Hainesvillenon-stop throughout the day in the warm temperatures on a hill that had more mud than snow in some areas.

The season openerevent, "Roast Beef and Rails," took place with only a single run ofthe beginner's hillopen to the public.

"I wouldn't miss this? Are you kidding?" skierTanner Andrews said in between back-flips over the hills jumps.

"I've been stoked all year I've been waiting. Came up to the mountain, came out here killing it."

• Crabbe Mountain new owners set goal of year-round activity

Crabbe'snew general managerJordan Cheneywasan employee at the hill under its former owner. This particular opening day has means a great deal, he said.

"It's been great to see everything happeningand us up and running and people coming from all over the Maritimes and Quebec and Maine a little bit," Cheney said.

Staff madesome snow last week when the weather was colder, and that's when they got organized foropeningday, he said.

"We pushed out those piles and put out a park setup on ourbeginnerhill by the lodge, so it's kind of our first chance for people to get out and work out the rust," Cheney said.

If the weather cooperates, hill staff hopeto open several runs by Dec.18.