Afton Alps Tests Snow Machines, Wild Mountain Opens Early

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It may only be early October, but the weather certainly has a few of us thinking it's winter.

Afton Alps announced they would begin testing their snow machines a little early this year -- thanks to the chilly forecasts of late.

A spokesperson said they began making snow on Sunday morning to try and garner more excitement for their Fall Fair and Ski Swap coming up.

They're not quite open for skiers, however.

Wild Mountain on the other hand is open for business -- for skiing, snowboarding, alpine sliding and go-karting. The business opened officially on Sunday, marking the first to open from the Midwest and the first in the nation.

The earliest Wild Mountain had opened before was on Oct. 18, 1992.

Officials say they're expecting hundreds of anxious skiers to head out on Sunday.