STEVENS PASS — Skiers and snowboarders were making turns on the mountain for Saturday’s limited opening at Stevens Pass.

Operations started with the rope tow and the Daisy lift, a beginner chair. With several inches of new snow later in the day, the intermediate Brooks lift started running. When in full swing, the mountain boasts 10 chair lifts.

“It’s still a low-snow situation,” said Chris Danforth, the vice president of sales and marketing at Stevens Pass. “You want to bring your rock skis.”

Danforth expects to have enough snow to continue limited operations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. But, he said, people should check the Stevens Pass website before they head up.

As of late Saturday afternoon, the mountain had 23 inches of snow at the base and more up top.

“It’s still snowing and hopefully it’ll continue,” Danforth said. “Everybody keep doing the snow dance.”

Skiers and snowboarders are enjoying discounted ticket prices since the mountain isn’t fully open. Tickets normally start at $64.

Now, tickets for those ages 7 to 69 cost $20. Children age 6 and younger are admitted free. Ages 70 and older get in for $15.

Danforth said he was glad the mountain was able to open, at least partly, on Saturday because the next 16 days are critical for business.

The resort and businesses along U.S. 2 that enjoy increased traffic the ski season brings take a financial hit with each day the mountain remains closed. Employees also struggle with less work, he said.

About 600 people came to the mountain on Saturday. That’s down from about an average of 6,000 when the mountain is fully open. Danforth expects about 1,000 people on Sunday.

While this season is off to a late start, Danforth said, it is not unprecedented. The average opening day at Stevens Pass is Nov. 28. But, the latest opening the mountain has on record in the past 30 years is Jan. 2, 1990.

That happened after Stevens Pass got only 17 inches of snow in December 1989. The following month, however, brought 246 inches of snow.

“That’s the thing in the Pacific Northwest, your fortune can change pretty quickly,” Danforth said. “For now, we’re doing our best with what mother nature is giving us. But we’re optimistic our fortune will change a bit.”