(Crescent, Iowa/KETV) –  The Mt. Crescent Ski Area in Pottawattamie County is pushing back its opening day due to warmer-than-expected temperatures. The ski resort says its snowmaking team is doing everything they can to open as soon as possible, but they “need a little help from Mother Nature.” The Mt. Crescent Ski Area is located 15-miles northeast of Omaha, in the Loess Hills. The ski area originally planned a potential opening on December 30. It is now looking at the possibility of opening on Jan. 3, but expects it will be later.

The Mt. Crescent Ski Patrol squeezed in some lift evacuation training in preparation for the upcoming season earlier this week. (Image from the the resort’s Facebook page)

Mt. Crescent thanks visitors for their support and understanding. They tell season pass holders that, despite the weather delay, it still expects an 8 to 10-week season. The lodge is open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for pass holders to pick up their pass before the season begins.