A pair of ski resorts in Carbon County plan to open for the season on Friday.

Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton will kick off the winter 2025-26 season at 9 a.m., opening with the most terrain in Pennsylvania — 30% of the mountain, totaling 40 acres and 13 trails. Five chairlifts will spin on opening day, with snow tubing 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 — are expected to open Sunday.

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

Blue Mountain Resort will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Après ski offerings return with Slopeside Pub & Grill, known for its sweeping mountain views and menu of handcrafted sandwiches, seasonal salads, pizzas, burgers and entrées, alongside live music Thursday through Sunday nights. New this season, The Spud Truck joins the lineup, serving loaded fries and stuffed baked potatoes — ideal for refueling between laps.

For more information, call 610-826-7700, or visit https://www.skibluemt.com.

Elsewhere, Jack Frost Big Boulder Resort in Kidder Township posted on its Facebook page that it plans to hold an Opening Day Banner Break at 9 a.m. on one park.

Lifts will be spinning from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

Jared Klepacki, Senior Manager 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. It’s going to be a great opening day.”

For more information, call 570-443-8425, or visit https://www.jfbb.com.