Snowbird, UT – The 40th winter season at Utah’s Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort will begin this Saturday, Nov. 13, with skiing and riding on natural and man-made snow a week earlier than originally planned.nSnowbird will open at 9 a.m. with the Aerial Tram accessing intermediate and advanced terrain in Gad Valley, Gadzoom chairlift accessing intermediate and advanced terrain and Chickadee accessing beginner slopes. Additional terrain will be evaluated as weather conditions permit. As of Nov. 10, the Little Cottonwood Canyon resort has received 53 inches of snow to start the 2010-11 ski and snowboard season.

“The wait is over for what is sure to be a fantastic 40th season of skiing and riding at Snowbird,” said Snowbird President Bob Bonar. “The combination of recent snowfall, cold temperatures and a promising forecast should help us work towards opening additional terrain leading up to Thanksgiving week.”

Snowbird will be operating the Tram, Gadzoom and Chickadee chairlifts for skiers and riders beginning Saturday at 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. for Gadzoom, 5 p.m. for Chickadee with guest access to Snowbird Center and Creekside Lodge throughout the weekend. Tickets will be offered for a special early season price of $64 for Nov. 13-14, with a $20 option for Chickadee-only.

Between next Monday and Thursday, Nov. 15-18, Snowbird will operate the Tram and Chickadee at a price of $56, with a $20 option for Chickadee-only. Creekside Lodge will not operate during this weekday period.

A series of smaller storms are forecasted into next week along with cold temperatures that should accommodate snowmaking. Last year, Snowbird received 602 inches of snow and offered skiing and riding from Nov. 20 to June 20, the longest season in Utah.