Warmer temperatures during this holiday week have prevented area resorts from making snow, but they’ve been able to hold on. Colder temperatures are forecast for this weekend, and several resorts hope to resume snowmaking starting tonight. This will allow the resorts to fortify open terrain and increase the number of open trails.

This is good news for advanced skiers and snowboarders, since the terrain currently open at Liberty, Roundtop, and Whitetail is primarily beginner. Snowshoe, Wisp, and Seven Springs have a wider variety of terrain open.

Snow is in the forecast for the area early next week. It’s too early to predict accumulation, but nighttime temperatures below 28 degrees (wet bulb) will allow area resorts to generate some accumulation on their own steam. (I’m not sure if that’s a bad pun or not.)

Whitetail is open with two beginner trails and one intermediate. The U-Me Double and Easy Rider Quad chairlifts are in operation. Base depth ranges from 10-26 inches. Whitetail is open from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.

West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort continues to enjoy a healthy start to the season, with 26 trails open and a healthy base depth ranging from 36-66”. Snowmaking has resumed at the resort and Snowshoe hopes to open several new trails soon.

Ski Roundtop is running two chairlifts and a J-bar to serve the Discovery Area, Fife and Drum, Minuteman, and the snowboard half-pipe. Base depth ranges from 10-20”.

Ski Liberty’s Nova, Sneaky Pete, and Snowboard Park are open, with two double chairlifts in operation. Average depth ranges up to 12”.

The season is well underway at the Wisp Four Seasons Resort, where nine trails are open. Base depth there ranges from 14-38”, with trails open to satisfy beginners through experts.

Last but not least, Seven Springs is open with 7 slopes and 7 trails. Base depth ranges from 18-24”, with some limitations. 6 chairlifts and 3 surface lifts are in operation.