LAS VEGAS -- The 2009-2010 season at the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort is underway, the earliest the resort has ever been open.

Unseasonably cold nighttime temperatures and aggressive snowmaking efforts have produced snow on Chair Three, Rabbit Peak, the only lift and trail scheduled to open.

“There are many skiers and snowboarders who love to jib on our freestyle terrain features, and we expect many families to take advantage of this great opportunity to learn the sport and have fun so early in the season,” said Base Operations Manager Craig Baldwin.

Resort hours will be 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Sunday, and then the resort is scheduled to open on weekends only until conditions allow additional terrain to open. Lift ticket prices are reduced to $20. Base area services will include equipment rental, instruction, BBQ and bar.

More information on snow conditions and tickets can be found at the resort's Web site.

“We are extremely excited to open over seven weeks early, a record early opening by far. Kudos to our snowmaking crew for making this possible, they deserve a ton of credit,” Baldwin said.