Titus Mountain Family Ski Center hopes to open up to skiers and snowboarders in about two weeks, according to brand ambassador Bruce Monette III. (Provided photo — Alexander Violo, Malone Telegram)

MALONE — North Country ski areas are getting ready for winter sports, prepping ski trails and waiting for some wintry weather.

Titus Mountain Family Ski Center in Malone is shooting to open up its slopes in about two weeks, according to Bruce Monette III, Titus brand ambassador.

“There’s no hard date in mind right now,” Monette said, “We’re hoping the weather helps us out and we get some more snow. It all depends on mother nature,” Monette said.

Monette said recent weather has been milder than last year but the weekend forecast looks promising as far as snow and snow making conditions go.

“We’ve had an average temperature of 41.7 degrees compared to 28 degrees last year,” Monette said, “That’s up about 14 degrees. Even when it has been cold enough to make snow, it has been pretty warm the next day.”

Last year Monette said Titus was able to have a soft opening in mid-November after an early season winter storm, followed by a full opening on Dec. 14.

For this season, Monette said those looking to get out on the mountain can visit the ski center’s website, www.titusmountain.com, to keep up to date on opening day and COVID-19 safety as winter sports gets underway.

According to Monette, some changes at the mountain from last season include the addition of 10 slope-side skibanas.

“They are available for daily rent; a family can rent them and have a warm and private space for themselves,” Monette said.

Monette said while a large number of skiers and snowboarders usually visit Titus from Canada, he is hopeful New York skiers, who won’t be able to go to Vermont without quarantining after, will consider a trip to the North Country.

“We are definitely going to miss our friends from the north,” Monette said, “It is a different year for sure. We hope people who might be used to going to Jay, Killington and Sugarbush pay us a visit.”

Whiteface Mountain Ski Center in Wilmington opened Saturday. Due to warm weather conditions, state Olympic Regional Development Authority officials opened Whiteface and Gore in North Creek a week later than expected, spokesperson Elise Ruocco said on Nov. 25. The original opening date was Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, but ORDA officials decided to hold off until colder weather sets in.

Snowmaking began at Whiteface on Nov. 17, later than last year due to warmer temperatures in November. A year ago, the ski center opened on Nov. 15.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Oct. 18 that not only would ski resorts have to reduce indoor capacity by 50%, but they would also have to reduce outdoor capacity by 25% on peak days or when multiple ski trails are closed.

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The Enterprise contributed to this report.