Cross-country skiers enjoy winter conditions in the airport section of the Titcomb Mountain Nordic trail system, while in the background the ski hill slopes are open to the public for the season. (Titcomb photo) Titcomb opens for season WEST FARMINGTON –- The 750-vertical-foot, friendly ski slope, Nordic center and the many volunteers who run Titcomb Mountain are back in business having opened for the season last Monday, Dec. 21.

The slope has a total of 16 trails for all levels of skiers and riders with snowmaking on 70 percent of the terrain. The Nordic center has 16 kilometers of trails through fields and woods and groomed for both classical and freestyle skiing.

Manager Karleen Andrews said before last Sunday’s rain that 11 trails were open. Volunteers have come out when the temps dropped and turned on the guns. As of last week five trails had snowmaking to assist in creating the snow base.

“It’s going pretty good,” Andrews said. “It’s great to see many families returning and fun to see the start of the school aged skiers and riders come back again.”

As the temps drop this week, snowmaking will continue on the slopes. Skiing and riding and the Nordic trails will be open weekdays this vacation week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 to 4 this weekend.

Andrews said the initial snowmaking system was first installed in 1988. “When the conditions are right, we can really put out some snow.”

Once school vacation is over, the mountain will flick the switch for night skiing and be open from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Andrews said that their children’s programs are expected to begin in January. Over 300 kids have signed up this season for various winter recreation programs.

Also the very small staff and the many representatives of the Farmington Ski Club and other volunteers are geared for many racing events as part of their typical season.

“We look forward to hosting over 20 races between Nordic and downhill,” Andrews explained. “We have middle school to MARA to college level races this year.”

Andrews credited the club and the volunteers for all they do.

“We are very grateful for all the volunteers. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do here at Titcomb and could not operate without them,” she explained.

“It’s a great affordable, fun and convenient winter recreation club. Members and volunteers assist in all aspects of the operation from frying French fries, to painting buildings in the off-season, to participating as part of the racing staff.”

The mountain received nine inches from the first big storm this season, and two to three inches thereafter. Last week the mountain was reporting a 15-inch base depth.