CARRABASSETT VALLEY –  Sugarloaf ski resort began snow-making operations Thursday in preparation for the coming 2010-11 ski season, according to a release issued by Maine’s tallest ski hill.

“As of 10 a.m., snow-makers had more than 40 snow guns online and were adding more each hour,” the release stated.

If cold temperatures hold, the resort plans to open Sunday, Nov. 21.

Temperatures in the low 20s and flurries in the mountains prompted the resort to begin operations with snow-making on the upper portions of its famed 3-mile trail, Tote Road. Snow-making was also in progress on the upper section of Sluice, a trail toward the middle of the 4,237-foot mountain.

Temperatures were expected to remain favorable for making snow through the weekend after an unusual, two-week bout of late-fall warmth hampered New England resorts, which depend on man-made snow for early-season skiing.

“Everything went great this morning, and it’s exciting to be making snow again,” said Rich “Crusher” Wilkinson, Sugarloaf’s vice president of operations.