On Friday at 3 p.m., the Mount Pisgah Ski Center opened for the season, and what a grand day to kick things off. About six inches of fresh, wonderful, fluffy powder had fallen on Saranac Lake’s ski hill run by the time mid afternoon had rolled around, and more was on the way.

School vacation had just started, and area skiers and snowboarders were ready to get their first runs on the local slopes.

Kristy Muncil watched from the warmth of Mount Pisgah’s lodge as her 11-year-old son Owen broke tracks on his snowboard as he christened the hill as the first rider of the season.

Instead of heading off on a snowy ride to southern Vermont earlier in the day, Scott Stoddard and his boys Mason and Liam delayed the trip, and instead had their skis in tote to take a few runs. Brothers Kenny and Chris Luettger, and Kenny’s wife Amber were bundled up and rset to hit the hill.

The concession crew of Karina Williams, Angie Gonzalez, CJ Williams and Charles Williams smile from Mount Pisgah’s lodge. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

“You can’t get better than this,” said “Chef” Charles Williams, who runs the concessions at the lodge. “This is perfect timing.”

The crew at the mountain said the ski area will be closed on Christmas, but they were hoping for a good turnout today and Sunday as Saranac Lake rings in another, and hopefully really snowy ski season on its family-friendly alpine hill.

Mount Pisgah crew members, from the left, Madi Sweeney, Nick Salamy, Nick Sweeney and Miles Gillette are ready to help. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Brothers Chris and Kenny Luettger and Kenny’s wife Amber are ready to take the T-bar to the top. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Riders take the T-bar to the top of Mount Pisgah. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Brandyn Strack kicks up the powder in the waning daylight. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Owen Muncil was the first rider down the mountain this season. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)