This week, a blizzard of white has covered parts of Pennsylvania. But you didn’t see it (at least not all of it) in the weather forecasts.

by KYW's Jay Lloyd

That snow in the Poconos came from a thundering arsenal of snow guns. With temperatures in a nosedive this week, ski areas around Pennsylvania have been able to blow up a storm since last weekend.

It all adds up to the earliest opening for a banana belt ski season in memory.

Closest to home, Bear Creek in nearby Berks County, Pa. will start the lifts to carry the season’s first skiers and riders this weekend. Slopes and trails at Big Boulder and Camelback in the Poconos are also set to open.

Shawnee Mountain is targeting next weekend, Blue Mountain and Sno Mountain on December 5th.

But before dashing out, check the day and opening times either by going to www.skipa.com or calling each mountain directly.
 
The amount of terrain will be limited this weekend, but lift tickets will be a fraction of the winter cost -- and you get bragging rights to boast of skiing in Pennsylvania before Thanksgiving.  Unheard of!

(Photo from Jack Frost resort)