'Atmospheric River' - California ski resorts are opening early due to a deluge of snow.

It's time for some trick-or-treating on the slopes.

At least two ski resorts in Northern California announced they will kick off an early season starting Friday, weeks ahead of schedule, after a major storm dumped feet of snow at higher elevations.

Palisades Tahoe said this week it would open up its season on Friday, nearly a month ahead of schedule, after getting more than 3 feet of snow at upper elevations and 1.5 feet at its base in recent days. It's only the third time in the resort's 72-year history that it has opened in October - the last time was in 2004.

The news of an early ski season comes as California, already facing historic drought conditions and record wildfires this year, experienced a weather event called an "atmospheric river" in recent days. The event brought a heavy rainfall - at least one city, Sacramento, experienced its wettest day on record. The weather helped quell the state's fire season, caused flooding and mudslides in some areas - and also brought some welcome news for recreation at higher elevations as well as local reservoirs...MORE