In November, Nakiska hosted several international teams for gate training prior to World Cup events. With a 30-inch base on the upper mountain and cold temperatures blasting snowmaking into full on operation, Nakiska now plans to open to the public on Dec. 9 with discounted lift ticket prices. About 50 percent of the hill will be skiable - both on groomed runs and Mother Nature's fluff in glades. Given the region's phenomenal early snows, the resort expects very good conditions for opening day.