SHREWSBURY, Mass. - Although the region saw temperatures in the 70s most of last week, some people are already skiing at Ski Ward in Shrewsbury.

The ski area held lessons were held for children ages 3 to 5 Wednesday afternoon thanks to a new snowmaking system which was tested by the stretch of warm weather. The snow maker, manufactured by Latitude 90, differs from traditional snow guns because it can be used in temperatures well above freezing.

While last week’s warmth melted roughly half of the snow stockpile Ski Ward had built up, the unseasonably warm weather was an important test. Even in the middle of winter, smaller ski areas like Ski Ward can’t always rely on Mother Nature to cooperate.

“It’s a huge safety net,” said general manager Stephanie Lacroix. “It was almost 70 degrees during February vacation last year and we had to close because we didn't have conventional snowmaking temperatures. This will give us a little bit of a cushion to be able to coast through those warmer, milder winters.”

With a few days of colder weather recently, enough snow was made to at least get lessons going again after Ski Ward became the first ski area in the country to open for the season.

“It’ll definitely be a huge game changer with being able to open earlier,” Lacroix added. “We've got 300 kids coming in this first week of November for lesson programs, and we will be able to do the same in December.”

Ski Ward postponed a rail jam event which had been scheduled for Saturday to Veteran’s Day due to the warm weather, but with colder temperatures ahead, the new snowmaking system will help continue to cover terrain until the other snow guns can get going.

“The second week of November, we're opening up our beginner area to season pass holders, and then hopefully after that to lift tickets,” Lacroix said. “Our goal is to always open the day after Thanksgiving, but obviously it's weather dependent.”