The lifts will start spinning at Big Bear resorts in coming days, with Bear Mountain planning to open on Thursday, Dec. 4, and Snow Summit following on Friday.

Warm weather and a lack of snow has plagued ski resorts along the West Coast, with delayed openings locally and across the northwest, but cold nighttime temperatures and low humidity has allowed snowmaking to cover runs enough to kick off the season in Big Bear, resort officials said.

Snow Valley, about 30 minutes down the hill from the Big Bear resorts, will have sledding and snowplay open, but its ski and snowboard opening is pending, said Justin Kanton, spokesman for Big Bear Mountain Resort, which owns and operates all three resorts.

“There is a chance we could get things moving for skiing and riding as well, it just depend

See Full Page