AUBURN – Thursday’s torrential rain wiped out the snowpack at Lost Valley Ski Area and thwarted plans for the slopes to open this weekend.

The rain turned last weekend’s fluffy snow to a patchy mess, said General Manager Connie King.

“Mother Nature is playing tricks on us,” King said.

The ski area off Youngs Corner Road hopes to open Friday, Dec. 19, for the season.

Whether that happens depends on next week’s weather, King said.