Opening Day! Sunburst Ski Hill officially opens its slopes for the season

KEWASKUM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It's that time of year again, ski hills around southeast Wisconsin have been preparing for this weekend.

Sunburst Ski Hill in Kewaskum opened its slopes to the first skiers and snowboarders of the season on Friday, Nov. 29.

This year, they are hoping for a longer and colder winter to get them through the season.

"We hope we just go back to some kind of normal average winters we have in Wisconsin. Last year I think was an anomaly," said Robert Friedl, CEO of Sunburst Skill Hill.

After last year's lean season, Friedl says he's optimistic this year will be better.

"Hopefully, we will have just a good old-fashioned Wisconsin winter this year," said Friedl.

Earlier this year in February, Governor Tony Evers announced a federal disaster loan program for businesses due to the lack of snow.

"We did apply, and we did get some assistance," said Friedl.

Friedl says that assistance helped them stay on their skis.

"It was very helpful this summer with maintenance and all the things we had to do," said Friedl.

This season more than 60 snow machines were fired up in preparation for opening day.

"We started snowmaking on Monday night," said Katie Wood, HR and marketing manager at Sunburst Ski Hill.

For one die-hard skier, he was the first in line.

"This is the second year; I've been the first person down the hill," said Eric Vanwormer, skier. "I've been working on skis the last two days, mounting them, tuning them, and just really excited for the season."

However, with Friday being the coldest day of the season so far, Vanwormer hopes a warm spell doesn't sweep in.

"This early, this cold, is always a little concerning because I feel like it's going to be followed up by some warm weather, but the forecast looks really good," said Vanwormer.

To get a seasonal or day pass at Sunburst Ski Hill, click here.