A few weeks back, while New York City and coastal areas of New Jersey were being battered with hurricane-force winds and 10+ foot swells of sea water as Hurricane Sandy made landfall, higher elevations in the mid-atlantic, including West Virginia's Snowshoe Mountain Resort were being dumped on with early November snow. In the wake of the super storm, the resort reported over two feet of heavy snow accumulation, making a significant dent in their efforts to build up a preseason base. Ideal snowmaking temperatures followed allowing Snowshoe to push up their opening day to its earliest in the last 15 years.

Both Snowshoe Basin and Silver Creek will officially open with top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. The new winter zipline will open the same day.

Snowshoe will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with at least two top to bottom runs and Ballhooter, Powder Monkey and Skidder lifts spinning. Silver Creek will be open from 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with at least one top to bottom run serviced by Mountaineer Lift. There will also be some features available from the Mountaineer Parks crew.

To help skiers and riders fuel up for their first turns of the season, the resort is holding a FREE pancake breakfast at the Junction on Wednesday morning from 8-9 a.m. A prize toss is also planned to go down at the official rope drop.

Snowshoe also announced a new $99 Early Unlimited Pass allowing skier and riders to hit the slopes any day between opening and Christmas Day. Early Unlimited Passes are on sale through Friday, Nov. 23.

For guests looking to make a Turkey Day getaway, the resort is offering a 3rd Night Free lodging special for the Thanksgiving holiday period. The buy two nights, get the third night free deal is good for arrivals starting Tuesday, Nov. 20 through Friday, Nov. 23. Details and availability can be checked by calling resort reservations.