Snowmaker Josh Mason of Turner checks for ice buildup on snowguns Tuesday at Lost Valley in Auburn. He was finishing an overnight 12-hour shift. The guns have been running since 11 p.m. Friday. The ski area plans to open at 9 a.m. Saturday. “We are going to hit it,” Lost Valley owner Scott Shanaman said about opening day. “I did not think we would, but we are going to.” “A lot of people are excited, snowmaker Bryce Leger of Lewiston said. “We are too.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

The sun shines early Tuesday morning on Josh Mason of Turner as he drives up Lost Valley in Auburn to check on snow-making efforts. He worked a 12-hour overnight shift to help get the ski area ready for opening day Saturday. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Ken Hill of Ness Oil Co. fills a 1,500-gallon tank with diesel fuel Tuesday at Lost Valley in Auburn. Ski area owner Scott Shanaman said he runs through 40 gallons of fuel each hour he is making snow. Hill returns every 36 hours to refill the tank. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Lost Valley owner Scott Shanaman, right, talks Tuesday with Ken Hill of Ness Oil Co. at the ski area in Auburn. Shanaman said the mountain is hoping to be open for skiing at 9 a.m. Saturday. “We are going to hit it,” he said about opening day. “I did not think we would, but we are going to.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Man-made snow is pushed by a snow groomer Tuesday at Lost Valley in Auburn. The temperatures finally dipped low enough for the ski area to make snow. Temperatures in the teens with no humidity is ideal, snowmaker Bryce Leger of Lewiston said. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal