CONWAY - Snow guns were blasting across the region Tuesday as ski areas began to take advantage of a solid blast of cold weather to help start their season.

"We're really getting psyched for the ski season to begin," said Marti Mayne, spokesman for the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Natural snow at high elevations overnight Monday also helped put the industry in the mood for the change of season, when in a typical year, the state sees more than 2.2 million skier visits.

In neighboring Vermont, Killington was open with eight trails Tuesday, and in Maine, Sunday River opened for the season.

Waterville Valley has put a projected opening date of Nov. 17 while Bretton Woods hopes for Nov. 23, and Cannon and Mount Cranmore are setting their sights on Nov. 23, according to Ski NH.

Loon Mountain is not saying when it will open.

In the Mount Washington Valley, Monday, ski resorts revved up the snow guns in anticipation of sustained colder temperatures. With a possible Nor'easter on the way, resorts wasted no time in getting guns started and employees ready to go.

Mark Butterfield at Bretton Woods looked at the weather report and said, "game on!"

For up-to-date information, complete ski conditions, skier tips and Ski NH's Skier's Forecast, visit the new About the Snow page at www.aboutthesnow.com.