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

A pair of Colorado mountains are open for the season – and another two will likely open by the end of the month – as the 2019-2020 ski and snowboard season begins in earnest.

In Colorado, snowfall typically comes first to the highest slopes, prompting a congenial yet competitive contest among ski and snowboard resorts in the #racetoopen for a new season before all the rest.

The #racetoopen is officially underway between Colorado's Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin. Meanwhile, Vermont's Killington Resort has also thrown a hat into the ring as well.

Though the weather has been slow to cooperate, summer is indeed coming to the Colorado Rockies – and with it, tons of recreational diversions for all to enjoy.

Following the conclusion of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Council Meetings, the 2019-20 competition calendar for all ski and snowboard sports that fall under the jurisdiction of FIS has been announced. For U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in America, this means that the following event dates are now confirmed:

April has arrived at that means it is time to break out the sunscreen and coolers for fun days in the sun at your favorite mountain resort. SnoCountry took at look at some of the happenin’ events around the country this April.

Few things fire up a day of skiing and riding more than fresh-baked goods and a hot cup of joe – and the high country full of spots to pick up a doughnut, croissant, scone or more.

Spring skiing: when we wear fewer layers, swap goggles for sunglasses and don’t put on enough sunscreen. Strong storms in February and early March this year buried central and southern Colorado in many feet of snow, leading some resorts to extend their seasons and setting spring up for epic conditions.

As the years pass by, mountain visits can blur or even fade from memory. To make a trip stand out, try one of these memorable activities for après time, a day off, or a unique experience.

A cold beer after a day on the slopes has been a tradition for a long, long time at ski and snowboard resorts. Now, with brewers brewing near most resorts, the connection has strengthened and produced a plethora of personalized “mug clubs” at resort bars.

The time has come, the superpipe is taking shape, and Copper Mountain is welcoming freeski and snowboard halfpipe superstars from across the globe to compete at the 2018 Toyota U.S. Grand Prix. This year the event holds special significance as it marks over a decade of partnership between Copper Mountain and U.S. Ski & Snowboard. Not to mention, early Colorado snow will make for excellent training and competition conditions.

Many ski and snowboard resorts in the West rely upon a nearby town that is base for food, lodging and off-slope fun, so SnoCountry took a look at three well-known towns that act as hubs for the mountains that surround them.

The 2018/19 ski and snowboard season has officially arrived in Colorado with a number of ski resorts opening, taking advantage of the recent storms which dumped snow by the feet, not inches, on their slopes.

Upgrades abound for a quartet of Colorado ski and snowboard resorts that swing open their doors in mid-November, as the new season gets into full-bore boogie mode for the 2018-2019 season.

Copper Mountain Resort officially kicked off the 2018-19 snowmaking season early Sunday morning near the top of the Excelerator lift on Andy’s Encore trail. Meanwhile, Loveland Ski Area received three inches of new snow, and just over the Continental Divide, Arapahoe Basin also reported a fresh coat of snow.

A staple on the activity slate at many ski and snowboard resorts in the Rocky Mountains is the fast-chargin’, whip-turnin’ mountain coaster.

Willy Booker, head of Burke Mountain Academy which hones some of America’s finest ski racers, bemoans that kids are less active and athletic today and don’t get outdoors enough. 

One way to remedy that is to have fun at a mountain resort this summer.

Copper to cut season pass price for next season. (Copper Mountain/Facebook)

The season pass battles are officially on for 2018-2019, and Copper Mountain has fired its salvo with an early-season pass priced about 25 percent lower than this season's top price.

North Carolina's Cataloochee gears up for a favorable start to February. (Cataloochee/Facebook)

The weather pattern turns much more favorable for winter conditions across the East, while a steady stream of moisture moves into the Rocky Mountains.