KEYSTONE — Skiers and snowboarders were greeted with clear weather and highs in the low 40s Friday, as Copper Mountain and Keystone Resort kicked off the 2011/2012 season with the usual opening day party.

Amid music, food and photos, people from all over the state enjoyed top-to-bottom skiing with conditions that may have trumped previous opening days.

“It's a little hard-packed, but I found some powder,” said Gary Lyons, of Fort Collins following his first runs of the season. “There's some powder off to the right, if you keep your eyes open. River Run is better than it usually is (on opening day). Usually it's just packed and icy, and (today) it's not that icy at all.”

“It's one of the best opening days for sure,” Austin McHodgkins, a snowboarder also from Ft. Collins said.

Keystone opened with skiing and riding on the gondola-serviced Spring Dipper and River Run trails as well as two learning area. The early-season terrain park was open Friday with 25 features and its own lift.

At Copper, the start of the season was festive, with skiers and snowboarders out in force to take advantage of the mountain's four runs and 18-inch base.

“Everybody's excited to get back out on their skis,” Copper spokesman David Roth said. “There was hooting and hollering in the lift line and free high fives all around. We're all stoked we can start skiing and riding again.”

Though this year's early-season snow can't compete with last year's 35 inches at Copper and 32 inches at Keystone, both resorts might see a bit more snow this weekend as a small storm moves in today.

There is a 50 percent chance of snow, with a possible accumulation of about 1 inch by tonight. The weather is supposed to remain dry but cloudy and fairly cold through the weekend.

Keystone dedicated opening day to founders Max and Edna Dercum, with a ceremony and a gondola car adorned with a historic photograph of the two visionary skiers who, in partnership with friends, helped open the resort in 1970.

The Dercums' children and grandchildren rode the newly dedicated gondola car up for the first run of the season.

Max Dercum died in September at the age of 98. Edna was 94 when she passed away in 2008.

Keystone also kicked off the season with the launch of its new Epic Mix photo feature. Photographers stationed on the mountain and in the River Run base area taking pictures of skiers and snowboarders, which would appear on their Epic Mix online almost immediately.

“It's super positive,” said Vail Resorts' Epic Mix coordinator Stacey Pool of guests' reactions to the new feature. “Even from the moment that they entered into the Village area people have been downloading the app. It's been really awesome.”

Copper started the season with giveaways and a free screening of the film “The Art of Flight” at 6 p.m. Friday.