After some unwelcome rain, winter has finally returned to the area, and local resorts aren’t letting a good snowmaking opportunity pass them by. This article summarizes conditions at some area resorts.

Starting in western Maryland, Wisp Resort has been cranking out the snow and also received a couple inches of natural snow. Four trails were open this morning with a 10-28 inch base and machine groomed conditions, but snowmaking is occurring on a dozen trails and more trail openings should arrive soon.

Leaving milder temperatures behind, West Virginia resorts are back creating an artificial blizzard in a race to expand open terrain. Snowshoe Mountain Resort has 24 trails open with a base depth of 18-56 inches and groomed frozen granular conditions. Expert Cupp Run (with a 1,500-foot vertical) will open midday on Thursday, allowing Snowshoe to start running its second high-speed quad, the Western Express. Snow tubing is also open. With cold temperatures remaining in the forecast, Snowshoe will continue to open additional terrain in the coming days.

Canaan Valley Resort has 10 trails open with a 20-50 inch base and a machine groomed surface. Two lifts are in operation. At nearby Timberline Resort, five trails are open with a base depth of 24-38 inches.

In Virginia, Massanutten Resort has opened one trail with a 6-12 inch base depth. The tubing park is also open. Wintergreen is offering two trails with a 12-20 inch base depth.

Heading north to southern Pennsylvania, a number of resorts hope to grab opening dates by this weekend, including Ski Liberty, Ski Roundtop, and Whitetail. Some may open Friday morning.

Laurel Mountain will re-open (after a decade absence) on Thursday, with skiing and boarding on the Tamecat beginner’s slope from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The snow tubing park is also open. Additional trails will open soon.

Seven Springs has 9 trails open with a base depth of 8-24 inches. Nearby Hidden Valley has four trails open with a 12-18 inch base, while Blue Knob has 3 trails open with a 3-25 inch base. To the east, Blue Mountain has five trails open with a 12-24 inch base depth.

The forecast is calling for continued cold temperatures for the next few days, giving snowguns a chance to do their job.