A pair of ski resorts in Carbon County opened to frigid temperatures Dec. 5.

Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton is kicking off the winter 2025-26 season with the most terrain in Pennsylvania — 30% of the mountain, totaling 40 acres and 13 trails. Five chairlifts were planned for opening day. Snow tubing was expected to open Dec. 11.

“Thanks to our state-of-the-art snowmaking system, we’re poised to open with the most terrain in Pennsylvania. Thirteen trails — nearly one-third of the mountain — will be ready on day one, including guest favorites such as Paradise, Burma Road, Central Park and Vista,” said Ashley Seier, director of marketing. “With a long stretch of cold temperatures in the forecast, we anticipate adding even more terrain throughout the weekend. We’re looking forward to an incredible winter ahead.”

Blue Mountain enters the season with major snowmaking and 380 upgraded LED trail lights, giving guests improved snow quality, faster terrain expansion and an enhanced night-skiing experience.

Recent upgrades include the installation of two TechnoAlpin TT10 tower-mounted fan guns at the base area and two mobile, fully automated TR10 fan guns, all designed to deliver snow more efficiently and effectively. Underground piping enhancements on key trails — Shuttle, Frontier Alley, Lower Sidewinder, Lower Lazy and Tubing Hill 3 — have increased water flow and capacity for faster, more consistent coverage.

The snowmaking team has been operating at full capacity, running 275 snow guns during the first sustained cold snap to deliver the strongest early season terrain in the region.

Opening day trails include Easy Out, Vista, Burma Road, Shuttle, Barb’s Way, Homestretch, Lower Frontier Alley, Tut’s Lane, Connector, Sky Top, Summit School Hill, Paradise and Central Park (with terrain park features). Three additional trails — Midway, Lower Main Street and Chute — were expected to open Dec. 7.

Opening day lifts include Summit Conveyor, Frontier Lower Conveyor, Vista Chair, Comet and Challenge.

Elsewhere, Jack Frost Big Boulder Resort in Kidder Township posted on its Facebook page that it would be open 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Anticipated terrain includes one park with features, Snowflake and Powder Puff.

Jared Klepacki, senior manager of Mountain Operations, Jack Frost Big Boulder, said this marks their favorite time of year.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team and the hard work that went into preparing Jack Frost for opening day,” Klepacki said. “The recent natural snow was the icing on the cake and the perfect finishing touch for great conditions.

“We look forward to kicking off a great season with everyone,” he said.