With the Pocono’s, down to Palmerton, getting a smattering of light snow last week, it’s the first sign of winter. And for snow lovers, local Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton and Camelback in the Pocono’s needed this incentive to crank up their snow guns and began snowmaking for the upcoming snow sports season.

Blue Mountain made a host of enhancements for this season that includes new TechnoAlpin tower-mounted snow guns at the base area and two mobile, fully automated fan guns, all to deliver faster, more efficient snow coverage. Snow making was also upgraded with underground piping on Shuttle, Frontier Alley, Lower Sidewinder, Lower Lazy trails and Tubing Hill 3 that will boost water flow for greater snowmaking capacity.

For those who can only ski during night-time hours, 380 trail lights have been upgraded with energy-efficient LED’s to brighten the most popular Challenge, Razors’ Edge, Main Street, Chute, Midway, Nightmare, Dreamweaver and Switchback runs.

For your dining pleasure, Blue Mountain has introduced a Spud Truck, a new mobile eatery featuring loaded fries and stuffed baked potatoes with tantalizing toppings.

Up at Camelback, snow making got a serious boost with high-pressure feed and summit supply lines that now power Margie’s Delight and Sullivan trails for added snow coverage. Also added were 32 auto hydrants and Impulse stick guns for consistent snow quality across the entire mountain.

To whisk skiers/boarders up the mountain, the high-speed Stevenson lift was enhanced for a smoother, more reliable ride.

Season passes are offered online for both resorts at www.skibluemt.com and www.camelbackresort.com.

According to Marguarite Clark, media relations for both resorts, Blue Mountain is set to open November 28 followed by Camelback’s winter debut on December 12.

Bear Creek Resort, in upper Berks County, also made enhancements for the upcoming season. According to Gary Kline, Marketing Director at Bear, more than 4,500 feet of snowmaking pipe, which increases Bear Creek’s to cover the mountain more quickly and efficiently, was added. In addition, 10 new fully automated snowguns were installed that adjust automatically to weather conditions to maximize snow production when temperatures drop. This covers more terrain earlier in the season and longer-lasting snowpack for late winter turns.

Bear Creek now offers some new food and beverage options this season. The Snack Shack at Kodiak and Black Bear trails, located where the two slopes meet, is a mid-mountain location for a quick bite between runs.

The Coffee and Hot Chocolate Stand, former home of the Polar Bar space, is being reimagined as a cozy coffee and hot chocolate stand. Guests can start their day with a steaming cup of coffee or warm-up with a decadent hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.

Back by popular demand, the Waffle Cabin returns featuring Belgian waffles drizzled with chocolate or maple syrup.

There’s also entertainment at Bear Creek both on the outdoor deck and inside the lodge.

Season passes are available at bcmr.com.