The World Cup Ski gods have returned to Park City this weekend for both men and women's Giant Slalom and Slalom events. With more than 40 inches of snow in the higher elevations and the snowmaking crews working around the clock, this is looking to be another great America's Opener.

"Conditions over the past few weeks have been very good," said Vern Greco, president and general manager of Park City Mountain Resort. "Any time we can have the World Cup course and public skiing available this early in the year, it signals a very strong start to the season." Resort officials anticipate the opening of additional lifts and terrain in subsequent days.

The races begin with Thursday's women's GS, follwed by the men's GS on Friday. Then we bash into the gates for the women's slalom on Friday and men's on Saturday. As usual, the Austrians are favored, but the home course advantage might give the Americans a fair shake.

The skies have cleared and the racers are in town, so stay tuned for all the world-class competition and maybe even a even a little dancing in the streets as WAR hits Main Street on Saturday night.

US Men's Head Coach Phil McNichol said a decision would be made, perhaps as late as race time, on whether Bode Miller (Franconia, NH), who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last Friday, will compete. Bode started the season with a fifth place in Austria in the GS.

"The medical staff will check to see if everything's okay. If they're comfortable with his recovery, then fine," McNichol said. "It's a medical call, not my call, not Bode's."

— Hans Prosl, MountainZone.com Correspondent