Skiers and snowboarders help kick off Kelly Canyon’s opening day

Kelly Canyon Ski Resort is now open. Tons of skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes to celebrate, on what the resort says is the earliest opening day in eight years.

One of of the co-owners, Cherie Stoddard, said that because of consistent snow over the past 10 days, these are some of the best conditions they have had for a few years.

“At the top, there’s over 3 feet, and down here, at one time we had 2 1/2 feet, but it get compacted by the groomer, so it’s not that deep right now,” Stoddard said. “It’s a really good base for the rest of the season, and hopefully we’ll get some more fresh snow in the next few days.”

The ski area prides itself as being a great place for some family fun.

The resort offers rentals on skis, snowboards, boots, poles, helmets and more.

With ski lessons open in December and January and prices that range from $40 to $216, the mountain is a start to many snow sport careers.

“We’ve got enough varied terrain that by the time they conquer everything that’s here they can go just about anywhere and have fun,” said Richard Hollinger, a snow sports instructor at Kelly Canyon Ski Resort.

Stoddard said that offering night skiing almost daily helps set them apart.

“A lot of hills that have night skiing and a lot of (other mountains) don’t, they have (lights) just on the bunny hills, and we have it on almost the entire hill,” Stoddard said. “Eighty percent of the hill is lit.”

With Jefferson County, Madison County and Bonneville County a short distance away, people living nearby love the fact that they do not have to travel so far.

“(Kelly Canyon is) super close to home and all the homies can come up here. We all have season passes,” said Cyrus Cowan, who lives in Rigby. “We come up and enjoy our time up here when we can.”

Kelly Canyon will be open Mondays through Thursdays 12:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. until Dec. 23.

The resort will be open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. until Jan. 5, 2019.

Regular hours will begin Jan. 7:

Mondays – Thursdays:

Combo day and night: 12:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Half day: 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Night: 5:00 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays:

Full day: 9:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Half day: 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Night: 5:00 p.m – 9:30 p.m.

Kelly Canyon will be closed on Christmas Day and will close at 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

For more information on ticket prices and Kelly Canyon Ski Resort, click HERE.