Patience will pay off in the East when multiple shots of cold and snow bring a much-awaited weather pattern for area ski resorts.

Mother Nature has begun to smile upon on the West, particularly the northern and central Rockies where significant amounts fell on resorts from Alberta to southern Colorado.

The arrival of Easter typically signals the departure of the ski and snowboard season, but this season's bonanza of snowfall has kept many resorts open over the April 21 Easter weekend.

In the summer, Colorado resorts become a hub for warm-weather fun both around the base areas and on the mountains. 

At this time of year, the closure list of Colorado ski and snowboard resorts gets slowly and depressingly longer and longer. But even after this weekend (April 11-12) when another seven mountains pull the plug, there will still be slopes and trails accessible by lift for a few weeks more.