Winter made an early arrival Monday as the season's first cold storm brought 6 to 8 inches of snow to China Peak.

The Huntington Lake ski and snowboard resort has a projected opening date of Nov. 17, but owner Tim Cohee said in an email that he'll open as soon as he can.

The biggest impact from Monday's storm, Cohee said, is that it gets the ground cold so any future snow probably sticks. It also helped recharge Big Creek, China Peak's primary source for snowmaking. Just last week, the creek was barely a trickle.

Cohee said snowmaking will begin Nov. 1 or when conditions allow.

China Peak will host its annual job fair Friday and Saturday at Sierra Vista Mall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The resort is looking to fill 400 seasonal positions.

Also, Sequoia Brewing Company will host a Pray for Snow Party starting at 6 p.m. Saturday in north Fresno. There will be season pass giveaways, prizes, live music, and drink and food specials.

Tahoe report

Tahoe ski resorts are gearing up for the first turns of the season, with a powdery gift from this week's wet storm.

While most resorts are sticking with their scheduled opening the week before Thanksgiving, Boreal Mountain Resort in Soda Springs will open its slopes for the season on Friday.

Squaw Valley is celebrating its new snow Thursday with a special one-day "Welcome Winter Fundraiser" to raise money for the Squaw Valley & Alpine Meadows Teams Foundation.

Squaw Valley will run its Searchlight chairlift Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for skiing and riding. All proceeds of the $20 lift tickets will go to the foundation, which gives financial assistance to young snow sports athletes.

The recent storm, which began late Sunday night, dumped 28 inches of the white stuff at Squaw Valley, with another 6 to 9 inches expected through Thursday, said Jenny Kendrick, spokesperson for the resort. That brings the new snow total to more than 3 feet, she said.

Kendrick said Thursday's event marks the earliest date Squaw Valley has opened the mountain to skiers and riders on record, dating to 1960.