Kitzbuhel has opened six weeks earlier than planned after heavy snow in the Austrian Alps allowed it to open runs and lifts. The news is a huge boost for the resort which suffered last winter with November the warmest ever. Conditions still were not right for the famous Hahnenkamn races in January, forcing cancellation of the key downhill race. The Nov. 2 opening is the resort's earliest ever in its 80-year ski history. The Panoramabahn Kitzbueheler Alpen and the Resterkogel chairlift are the first lifts to take winter sports fans up the mountain, with over 80cm (34 inches) of fresh snow. More lifts will go into operation in upcoming weekends.