Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton has announced the date for the opening of its snow sports.

The resort said the official opening for snow sports is Dec. 3 for enthusiasts of all ages from beginners to expert skiers, snowboarders and snow tubers.

Blue Mountain Resort is home to one of the largest snow-making systems in the country, allowing its crews to work most efficiently with the warmer East Coast weather.

Snow-making consists of three main components: water, air and electricity, and Blue Mountain can pump out 14,000 gallons of water per minute onto the slopes and convert it into snow.

This season, the resort has added three new 350hp/1,000gpm pumps increasing snow-making water pumping capacity, increasing mountaintop water pressure to utilize the latest in low energy/high-capacity snow-making technology and installing two additional new cooling towers to maximize the snow-making window.

The result is more of the 40 trails with 16 lifts should be able to open sooner this season.

Seven of the 40 trails are expected to open on Dec. 3, including: Easy Out, Vista, Midway, Burma, Come Around Park, Lower Main Street and School Hill.

What’s new for the 2021/2022 season?

• Snow Tubing Park expanding from 24 to 46 lanes, making it the largest snow and fastest tubing park in the country

• Fully automated snow-making and LED lighting on the mountain’s 40th trail allowing for excellent night skiing until 9 p.m.

• New fun and inviting food trucks added to grab-and-go dining choices, including Tipsy Taco, Hoppy Trails and Souper Cheesy