The Boyce Park Ski Slopes opened Monday for the first time this season, but mild temperatures and rainy conditions this week could cut into time for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the winter sports. The slopes opened with a session from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sessions are scheduled from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve. Jim Shultz, whose Ligonier-based Mountain Works provides snow for the Boyce slopes, is concerned about showers that are forecast every day this week and into the weekend. “We will try to perform miracles and keep it open, but that is a tall order,� Shultz said. “Mother Nature giveth, and she takes it away.� Unseasonably warm temperatures the past couple of months put a hold on the snowmaking business at Boyce Park until last Thursday, when Shultz said he and Allegheny County parks director Andrew Baechle had a “philosophical discussion.� The talk resulted in a snowmaking operation that began at 4 p.m. Friday, continued as temperatures dipped below freezing into the night and wrapped up at 11 a.m. Sunday. “We reviewed the weather forecast and started up the snowmaking,� said Shultz, whose company is in its third season making snow at Boyce Park. “It was a tough decision to make. This is the toughest stretch I have ever seen.� Conditions Monday afternoon were 18 to 28 inches of groomed snow with both lifts open and two of five trails open. The terrain parks and tubing area will remain closed until further notice. The county ice rinks opened last month. Business was light Monday afternoon, but those who went to Boyce Park said they have been anticipating the opening. “It's not bad. There is a little rain, but it is definitely worth it,� said Blayne Donovan, 18, of Elizabeth. “I will be back Wednesday,� said Donovan, who typically skis at Seven Springs. Seven Springs Mountain Resort and Hidden Valley Resort will open for skiing and snowboarding 9 a.m. Wednesday, officials announced. Snowmaking teams “have taken advantage of every opportunity to make snow,� Eric Mauck, CEO of Seven Springs and Hidden Valley. Riley Polacek, 17, of Plum, said word began circulating among her friends Monday morning that the Boyce Park slopes would open in the afternoon. She wasted no time getting there to do some snowboarding. “At the end of every season, I am excited for the next season,� Polacek said. “I have been looking forward to this day all year.� Shultz said snowmaking is successful when a combination of the ambient air temperature is 28.4 degrees or less. County officials said typically, the slopes open before Thanksgiving. This year, the decision to open was based on having enough base on which to build the snow and temperatures to sustain it. The county pays Mountain Works $640,901 annually for regular and preventive maintenance and $60,723 for snow grooming and other equipment maintenance, deputy parks director Melissa Swedish said. Shultz said weather conditions will be monitored throughout the week to determine how long the slopes can remain open. “We can afford to lose a foot and still be open,� Shultz said. Karen Zapf is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-871-2367 or kzapf@tribweb.com.