Yesterday we reported that Killington took first-to-open honors in the east: Not exactly true. Turns out Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley NC also opened Sunday, difference is they opened to the general public while K-mart was passholders only until yesterday. My bad! Cataloochee has scooped the Beast of the East on quite a few occasions, so I should’ve known to check it out even though I usually get the announcement. Anyway it was all over almost before it began, as the temps soared and the surface turned into something less than skiable for most folks, check out the photo above taken this afternoon. Fear not, they’ll be back up as soon as the chill returns. Meantime Killington still shredding up on the North Ridge, although patrol is starting to put in a few warning sticks…shout out to long time friend and correspondent Gustave Sexauer; long been our man in the midwest and then gave us reports from the sunny southwest. He’s just relocated to New England so we’re looking forward to hearing about his first turns in the icy east…speaking of the midwest, word in from Ski Brule MI is that Yooper ski season kicks off this weekend, free on Friday and then $25 tix Saturday and Sunday. They’ll be serving up the Big Bear chair and Bambi rope tow feeding the Log Jam, Bunny & Bambi Trails, and maybe something on Otterslide if temps permit. Brule will button it up midweek, then spin again next weekend. At least that’s the plan. They’re definitely one of our faves…and skiing as far west as you can without actually skiing in the west, Terry Peak SD asked us to spread the word that their annual job fair is scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Stewart Lodge from 9am-12pm, and they’re hiring in virtually every department…World Cup news, Swiss star Wendy Holdener suffered an elbow injury in training last week. Spokesperson sez the thing doesn’t need surgery, and Holdener may be ready for the Levi FIN slalom in two weeks.