The 1997-98 ski and snowboard season is about to switch from “pause” to “resume” as colder temperatures settle in on the region later this week. Nighttime temperatures will be dipping into the low twenties by this weekend, and humidity should be low, making for perfect snowmaking temperatures. Scattered snow flurries are also in the forecast for area resorts.

Local resorts are ready: Roundtop is counting on one night of good snowmaking, which will allow them to re-open this weekend. Liberty is looking to open around December 12. Wisp remains open with two trails; they were unable to make snow last night but will try again in the coming days. Seven Springs remains closed but may be able to re-open this weekend. Thanks to its high elevation, West Virginia’s Snowshoe (and nearby Silver Creek) has been largely unaffected by the recent warm weather and remains open with 13 trails and snowmaking in operation.

Meanwhile, the season is in full gear in New England. (But we’re not jealous.) Vermont’s Killington has received a heap of natural snow and hasn’t given the snow guns a rest. They’ve received over 5 inches of snow in the past day alone, allowing them to open up 125 trails (with 38 miles of skiing) by this weekend. While the birds are heading south, you might want to head up north to get in some of the best early-season skiing in New England. Other resorts are reporting good conditions: for example, Stratton is open with 51 trails.

Perhaps you’d rather head out west. Most Colorado resorts are operating in full gear now; Vail has 63% of their front side open, offering close to 1,200 acres for your skiing and snowboarding pleasure. So far this season, they’ve received 75 inches of natural snow.