If only our mountain resorts were already open for business. There's a layer of fresh powder that fell over the last two days thanks to a cold winter storm, but skiers and snowboarders will have to be patient.
Opening day has yet to be determined. Many resorts are still getting their winter staff in place plus they're having to be very strategic about how they open due to Covid-19 restrictions.
In the meantime, we'll take the snow when we can get it. Most of the snowfall happened over the San Bernardino County mountains.
Here are some of the snowfall amounts as of Monday morning. Since I went on the air Monday morning, Big Bear Mountain Resorts updated its new snow total to 12 to 18 inches.
Big Bear Mountain Resort's website states lift tickets will go on sale Monday, November 16.
Keep in mind, ticket sales will be reduced depending upon daily capacity throughout the winter season. Walk-up purchases will not be available.
Snow Valley has already started selling tickets.
The resort is also looking for hundreds of people to work up on the mountain this season. This week, it'll hold the last of four hiring events.
The next chance for our mountain resorts to pick up snow will be this Friday through Saturday. However, based on early computer model forecasts, we're not expecting as much as we recently received - just a few inches.
That could change, so stay tuned for daily updates.
Between now and then though, mornings up in the mountains will be cold and dry enough for resorts to make snow. Hopefully, opening day comes soon so we can take advantage of all the snowfall, natural and machine-made.
Mt. Baldy opened up last month for scenic lift rides Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Six inches of snow fell at resort level. Low temps have enabled its crews to start snowmaking as well.
Resorts generally open in November, even if a storm doesn't bring good snowfall. That's because temperatures can get cold enough to make snow. By March and April, resorts usually shut down operations, unless a big storm rolls through.
Last March and April, you may recall that the mountains got dumped on. But, no one could enjoy the snow because resorts were forced to close down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This past weekend's storm gives resorts a good snow base to build from. Let's cross our fingers that Mother Nature keeps the snow falling throughout the season.
The Climate Prediction Center's Winter Outlook (January, February and March) is calling for drier and warmer than average conditions.
