As we turn the page from January to February, we’re watching a close-call storm tracking up the eastern seaboard, and a new batch of snow for the Pacific Northwest. Here’s the forecast scoop in this week’s SnoCast.  

If you're looking for the best deal on New Hampshire season passes, now is the time to buy. Many ski areas are offering additional incentives when you purchase before this season ends.

The heart of skiing and riding is alive and well at numerous smaller ski areas across the Northeast, where you’ll find shorter lift lines, lower lift ticket prices, and a chance to explore the character of the local’s favorite hill.

With the help of the Pats Peak snowmaking crew and HKD Snowmakers, Ski New Hampshire covered a corner of the New Hampshire State House lawn in a blanket of white last week and shared information about snowmaking efficiency and the ski industry’s impact on the state’s economy.

Whether you’re working during the day or just looking for a way to get out with the family, twilight skiing and riding offers a chance to hit the slopes, often with great deals and special offerings. Enjoy the newly groomed corduroy in the late afternoon, and don’t forget your clear lenses for your goggles to enjoy an evening under the stars.          

The arrival of ski swaps each fall reminds winter enthusiasts that snow is on the way and that the ski season is right around the corner. Now is the time to get the best deals on ski and snowboard equipment, and ski swaps are a great way to purchase gently used or even new gear for short money. Swaps are not just for buying gear; you can also turn in your used gear that still has life left in it and earn back some of your investment. 

Deals on spring turns at Sunday River. (Sunday River)

While there’s still a lot of days left for the 2017-2018 season, Northeastern resorts are rolling out their buy now/ski this spring deals, making this a great time to stretch your skiing and riding dollar for maximum time on the slopes.

Loaded onto the Peak Triple and ready to hit the slopes at Pats Peak. (Pats Peak) 

The ol’ Peak Double Chair at southern New Hampshire’s Pats Peak was a good one. But with a new triple chair lift, Pats Peak has doubled the capacity of the lift from 800 to 1,600 people per hour. A conveyor carpet system makes loading easier and faster, cutting down on the ride time to the summit.

Snowmaking on every trail makes for reliable conditions at Pats Peak. (Pats Peak)

New Hampshire’s Pats Peak may not be the biggest mountain in the state, but trail count alone doesn’t define the character and reach of this family-owned New England ski area, home to 70 adult race teams and a ski and ride school that lures more than 8,000 school kids and each year. 

Pats Peak cookies are an obligatory part of a trip to the mountain. (Pats Peak)

With all the powder and corduroy you’ll be hitting on your next ski trip, refueling with some fine confections are in order. SnoCountry.com has tirelessly researched across the country to find these not-to-miss mountain treats.

Smart Stowe kids know where to find the deals. (Stowe) 

If you haven’t already, now is the time to plan your Presidents week getaway to the mountains. Many families have the week off from school, and resorts are ready with many kid-friendly deals and activities to keep everyone smiling.

Stunning views at Pebble Creek. (Pebble Creek/Facebook)

Savvy skiers and riders know there are great deals to be found out there to get you on the snow. Buying online ahead of time is often the easiest way to cut costs, but even if you wait until you arrive at the mountain to get your tickets, there are still affordable options at resorts across the country.

Ropes are dropping on trails from California to Maine as snowstorms and snowmaking weather offer up one of the best starts to a winter in recent memory. As your options open up, mountain general managers from across the country shared with SnoCountry.com their not-to-miss routes for fun on the hill.

Once lessons are completed, skiers receive a free pair of Elan Skis and a Pats Peak Season Pass. (Pats Peak)

Got a friend you want to introduce to the slopes? Southern New Hampshire’s Pats Peak will again offer the Passport Program PLUS for newbie skiers. Purchase the program for $349, valid for four Skier Starter Special Packages of lift tickets, lessons and rental equipment.

The kid in all of us loves a treat after a day on the slopes, and SnoCountry.com has taken on the difficult task of discovering the best signature treats at resorts across the Northeast. Our dedicated research has come up with these goodies – what would you add to the list?

Odds are good that no matter what mountain you are skiing or riding, you’ll probably come across someone who got their start at Pats Peak. Centrally located near New Hampshire’s metropolitan areas, Pats Peak is where a large population of the state’s kids learn to ski and ride.

As we celebrate the long-awaited return of winter in New Hampshire, the flakes are falling on more than just the ski slopes. For the full mountain resort experience, savor a jaunt through the woods on a traditional horse drawn sleigh ride, get your adrenaline rush on a zipline, or control your own speed on a mountain coaster.

Fresh off the heels of the Cascade Basin expansion, which added six new trails and a new lift, New Hampshire's Pats Peak has invested another $1 million in capital improvements for the 2015-2016 season.

The Childhood Cancer Lifeline 2015 event at Pats Peak raised over $25,000, insuring much needed support for New Hampshire families who have a child battling cancer. 

Despite all the media hype over Storm Juno, there are some very happy skiers and riders heading to the hills in the Northeast in its wake.