WOLF CREEK — The Wolf Creek Ski Area opens its 70th season this weekend.

After receiving 15 inches from the October 21st storm, 24 inches in just the last 48 hours and a year-to-date snowfall of 46 inches, Wolf Creek is opening for the 2009-2010 ski season on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31.

Treasure and Bonanza Lifts along the beginner runs of Nova and Susan’s, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. A wide variety of terrain will be available. Very early season conditions.

The Magic Carpet will be operating for Wolf Pup Classes (ages 5-8). A special Halloween luncheon will be offered to Wolf Pup families and Halloweenfest participants in the Wolf Pup Building on Saturday for $5. Bring the kids up for a costume contest (most original wins) and a contest for the most original carved pumpkin. Bring carved pumpkins to the Wolf Pup Building at 1 p.m. Beginner Ski and board classes will be available for all ages. Lift tickets for adults are $31; $18 for seniors and children these, prices are good for opening weekend only; $2 for Nova Lift.

Halloween Rail Jam will be held for all ages of skiers and boarders. Sign up at 2 p.m. in the Prospector Grill (lower lodge). Rail Jam starts at 3 p.m. under the Treasure Lift. Prizes include snowboard and more.

The Wolf Creek Lodge (Upper Lodge) and Prospector Grill will be serving lunch, the Pathfinder Bar will be open for drinks; the Upper Lodge will be available for picnickers, until further notice. The ski area Rental Department and Sport Shop will also be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekday only season passes will not be honored until Monday; all other passes are welcome.

Wolf Creek has grown since its modest beginning in 1939. The skiing on Wolf Creek Pass began with a group of ski enthusiasts in Alamosa who were interested in skiing and found that Wolf Creek Pass offered all kinds of ski slopes for all kinds of skiers. The San Luis Valley Ski Association established a small ski tow and warming cabin financed by popular subscription and memberships into the club. With reliably excellent conditions and changes in ownership, incredible improvements have continued to the present time. Since 1976 owners have been Kingsbury and Charity Jane Pitcher. Go to www.wolfcreekski.com or call 800-SKI-WOLF.