Thanksgiving weekend will be especially tasty in the western United States and Canada with multiple helpings of snow storms.

We’re turning the calendar to November in this SnoCountry SnoCast, and with that comes more signals that winter is coming. A weather pattern featuring frequent storm systems will impact both the western and eastern areas this week.

As a new season begins, skiers and snowboarders head to the hills, always looking for what’s new at their favorite resort – and what improvements they might find if they venture to other areas.

Here’s a look at a quintet of resorts in Colorado, Idaho and California that expect to drop the ropes in early November.

With the proliferation of Smartphones and digital cameras, you don’t have to be a professional photographer to capture the beauty of the West – especially in the mountains.

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

Summer vacationers often seek out lakefront property to cool off, and a number of ski and snowboard resorts across the West are blessed with a lake within spittin’ distance.

Summertime at ski and snowboard resorts in the Great Northwest packs in all manner of adventure, food and new perspectives.

Resorts all over the West put gravity mountain biking on the top of the summer attractions. Those who crank up the lifts in the off-season put on bike racks and bring riders to great heights.

The annual Masterfit Boot Test concluded after a 5-day ordeal in which some 35 volunteer testers donned 98 boot models and sallied outside to put them through their paces at Silver Mountain, Idaho.

A late-night fire at the Warm Springs Day Lodge at Sun Valley has caused heavy damage to the 25-year-old base lodge, but no one was inside at the time of the blaze as the resort closed four days prior.

Hittin' the deep stuff. (Schweitzer/Facebook)

Nestled high in the Selkirks of northernmost Idaho, Schweitzer has the feel of a locals’ mountain and a burgeoning destination resort. Its 2,900 acres sit 45 miles from the Canadian border and above lumber town Sandpoint and Lake Pend Orielle. In a season like 2017-2018, Schweitzer gets plenty of snow but conditions can be variable – and weather foggy -- because it’s fed by moisture-laden Pacific storms.

Plenty of trees to navigate at Lookout. (Lookout Pass/Facebook)

This season, the snow gods have smiled mostly upon the Northern Rockies, just in time to debut a new trail at Lookout Pass and produce optimism for planned upgrades.

More pow' in the trees at Tamarack. (Tamarack Resort/Facebook)

Early season snow storms are tracking right over the Cascades and Northern Rockies, and many resorts have already opened – some with improvements made over the summer.

Arcing a jump at Sun Valley terrain park. (Sun Valley/Facebook)

Keepin’ up with ever-changing terrain park trends presents a challenge to all resorts, and Sun Valley is one that is making sure it’s current … and cool.

Lookout Pass has popular Learn to Ski & Ride and Bring a Friend programs that run all season long. (Bob Legasa Freeride Media)

There’s never been a better time to find ski/snowboarding discounts, freebies, and deals.

Finding some freshies above Sun Valley. (Sun Valley Trekking/Facebook)

Heading into the backcountry transports skiers and rider into a world of powder, mystery and quiet – especially if the trip includes a night or two out in the woods.

A summer chairlift ride includes eye-popping views. (Schweitzer Mountain Resort/Facebook)

Idahoans and visitors alike escape the summer heat down below by heading into the mountains of the Gemstone state.

Payette River goes big near Tamarack. (Tamarack Resort/Facebook)

The winter may be over, but a solid reminder of what a good year it was in the West continues to play out in the rivers that are flowing bank-full out of the mountains this spring.

Lookout Pass powder run. (Lookout Pass/Facebook)

Who says there’s nothing free in the world? Every Saturday at Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation, dozens of youngsters will hit the slopes for instruction in skiing and snowboarding – without cost.

The future seems brighter at Tamarack, thanks to home owners (Tamarack/Facebook)

The home owners at Tamarack Resort have once again dug in their heels and assured that the troubled Idaho mountain will be open for skiing and snowboarding this season.

The Tamarack Municipal Association paid off nearly $270,000 in back taxes to the county and now has control of winter and summer operations, including six lifts, lodging, food and beverage services, and a zipline. From 2009 to 2014, the resort has been run by the homeowners association that encompasses some 400 properties around the base of the mountain, until a management firm took over last season.

The future of a number of other properties around the base area still must be determined, likely through public tax auction, but all the facilities necessary to operate the 900-acre ski and snowboard mountain are in place for this season – and possibly beyond.

“The long-term outlook is very positive, because the owners can be very proactive towards finding developers and investors to help finish our unfinished real estate projects,” GM Brad Larson told local media.

Opening date for 2016-2017 season is set for Dec. 9, and season tickets are on sale at $419 for adults until Nov. 14. In addition, the central Idaho resort has begun holding job fairs for winter employment.

Officials believe that the solidity in ownership will re-establish the Tamarack and its 2,800 feet of vertical as a destination for both regional skiers and riders from Boise, and those from Spokane, Seattle and Portland.

Tamarack was opened in 2004 as a year-round, major destination resort. But plans got waylaid in 2008, when the former owner disappeared and his banker, Credit Suisse, had to assume the assets. The bank was the sole bidder in a bankruptcy auction.