An employee of the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center in Wilmington aims a snowmaking gun on the slopes recently as the crew prepares for opening day on Friday, Nov. 24. (Provided photo — ORDA)

LAKE PLACID — Ski centers in the Olympic Region are preparing for opening day as snowmaking efforts ramp up and many fingers are crossed for natural snow at venues that don’t have snowmaking capabilities.

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Whiteface Mountain

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The state Olympic Regional Development Authority has announced that the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center will open at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 24, conditions permitting, with skiing and snowboarding from the summit to the base lodge.

Snow guns coat the Whiteface Mountain slopes in Wilmington in preparation for the ski center’s opening on Friday, Nov. 24. (Provided photo — ORDA)

The snowmaking crew at Whiteface has been laying down a thick base, thanks to recent colder temperatures and additional help from natural snow. Last year for the first time in history, Whiteface opened from top to bottom on opening day, which was Nov. 19.

The Face Lift and Summit Quad lifts will both be open, servicing Riva Ridge, Paron’s Run, the Follies, Ilmar’s Alley, and Lower Northway as well as Upper Valley, Lower Valley, and Fox trails. Beginner terrain will not be available. Food and beverage will be available at the Base Lodge’s Legacy Market, Base Camp Market, and Cloudspin Bar & Grill. Additionally, the Brookside Apparel, rentals, and tuning shop will be open daily. Private lessons are available by reservation. The Cloudsplitter gondola will NOT be open this weekend.

SKI3 and Whiteface season passes are available at the same rates as last year and can be purchased at whiteface.com, with a price increase scheduled for Dec. 6.

This opening weekend operations plan is subject to change due to weather and conditions. For the most up-to-date conditions reports and operational information for opening weekend and throughout the season, visit the snow report page: https://whiteface.com/mountain/conditions/.

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Mount Van Hoevenberg

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ORDA announced Monday, Nov. 20 that Mount Van Hoevenberg is anticipated to start making snow for its cross-country ski trails on Thursday evening, Nov. 23. Last year, Mount Van Hoevenberg opened on Nov. 19.

The Cliffside Coaster is now closed for the winter season.

Learn more at mtvanhoevenberg.com.

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Cascade Welcome Center

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The Adirondack Mountain Club’s Cascade Welcome Center on state Route 73 outside Lake Placid opened for winter operations on Friday, Nov. 17. The property relies on natural snow for skiing on its trail network. Last year, the center welcomed its first skiers of the season on Nov. 20. Learn more at adk.org/cascade-welcome-center.