Winter officially arrives tonight, and an arctic blast of cold air will follow, pushing out mild temperatures and clearing the way for snowmaking at all area ski resorts. Local resorts plan to take advantage of the situation by making snow around the clock later this week. With ideal snowmaking conditions, many resorts may try to open for the season this weekend, or shortly thereafter. Several resorts have already claimed their opening date.

Temperatures will begin to dip Tuesday as a cold front arrives. By Wednesday, highs north and west of Baltimore will barely break above freezing, with lows in the single-digits and teens. These conditions will linger through Christmas.

Some local resorts have already been able to open. West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort has been able to open 18 slopes and trails with a 16-34 inch base. More trail openings are on the way. Canaan Valley Resort opened last Friday and now has 5 slopes and trails open, with a base depth of 14-24 inches. Maryland’s Wisp Resort has opened one beginner trail and will be working later this week to open more terrain. Pennsylvania’s Seven Springs Resort opened 3 trails this weekend, as well as the tubing hill.

Early-season conditions are always limited; check with the resort you plan to visit prior to your trip to make sure it is operating under normal conditions.