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An on-mountain lunch break is a treat you’ll want to savor on your next ski trip, with easy access from the slopes, mountain views, and maybe even a deck for some springtime goggle-tanning. SnoCountry takes a look at some of the best bets for on-mountain lunch.

In this week’s SnoCast, the weather calms down… briefly. After a hyper-active 1-2 weeks behind us, some light shots of snow will continue to add to an already outstanding season. 

Stoke was high this week for east coast skiers and riders, as the power of snowmaking and the fortune of cold weather combined for October openings at Killington and Sunday River, with Mount Snow and Wildcat spinning lifts this coming weekend. 

Snowshoe village at the top of its West Virginia slopes. (Snowshoe)

Snowshoe Mountain will be putting nearly $4 million toward upgrades this summer to snowmaking and grooming technology, allowing them to open significantly more of trails by early December and to maintain a high-quality snow surface throughout ski season.

Snowshoe in West Virginia is in a prime location for wintry weather this week. (Snowshoe) 

The weather pattern change we have been waiting for in the East is finally here bringing cold temperatures and snow, while the West continues to be sunny and dry.

After a December in the mid-Atlantic that many would like to pretend didn’t happen, Winter Storm Jonas is looking to bring smiles to skiers in the region Friday and Saturday.

Here’s a sampling of events across America. Check with your favorite resort for many more Independence Weekend happenings.

A pile-up of more than 30 inches of fresh snow in a week has led Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia to extend its season. The resort will close as planned March 30, but only temporarily. The slopes will re-open for a weekend bonus April 5-6.

“For the second winter in a row we’re watching fantastic snow conditions building into March,” says Snowshoe’s Dave Dekema. “It has literally snowed every day for a week, with 14 inches in one day alone.

Single day lift tickets during the extended weekend are $40 in appreciation of the resort’s 40th season. There will also be a “buy one, get one free” special offer available. Value season lodging prices will be in effect.

The announcement comes on the heels of the return of the “Ridiculous Pass” now available for purchase at $199. The pass gives users unlimited skiing and riding all of March 2014, and the entire 2014-2015 winter season with no blackout dates. Note that the pass price goes up $5 per day until Feb. 28.

Full retail price of the pass is $449.

“The Ridiculous Pass is the best deal out there,” says Snowshoe’s Dave Dekema. “It was so incredibly popular last year that we had to bring it back this year… It’s ridiculous.”

The pass offer is good through Feb. 28, 2014 and valid for all ability levels and age groups – adults, students, seniors, military, children and teens. Children ages six and under and seniors 75 and over will ski free next season.

Click for more details.

Photo: Snowshoe Mountain Resort piles on the February snows (Snowshoe Mountain Resort/Facebook)

The South is ready to rise and start the season. Sugar Mountain, N.C. opened Wed., Nov. 13 with a 6-24 inch base on manmade packed powder. 

The season started early in November when Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia picked up the “good side” of Hurricane Sandy. Now, the latest storms and two feet of fresh powder mean it’s not over yet.

College students' spring breaks come at varied times this month and produce varied results – dragging bags of dirty laundry home to mom, enjoying home-cooked meals, sleeping in your own bed, heading to the beach, to the best of all: adventures on spring snow.

Four Mid-Atlantic resorts that participated in last year’s Season Passholder “Resort Swap” Program are continuing their involvement and expanding to include a fifth for the current season.

Snowshoe Mountain Resort is offering a “Snow Guarantee” this season. They are guaranteeing delivery of the most open terrain in the Southeast Region – which includes 15 ski areas in W.Va., Va., Md., and N.C. – or your next day of skiing is free.