Mountain High and Bear Mountain have opened its lifts for an early start to the snowboarding season.

A recent cold snap has allowed the resorts to blow snow to cover the dirt hills. The best conditions to make snow in are cold, dry, and low humidity – which we’ve seen in the past few days.

With temperatures on the rise for this weekend – expected to hit the 80s in some parts of Orange County – resort operators will determine whether they can make enough snow on a day-to-day basis.

“That’s just the nature of things,” said John McColly, marketing director at Mountain High. “As long as we can keep snow on the ground, we’ll be open.”

This year marks the 13th year that Mountain High is the first to open in Southern California, and it is the third in the nation to open, after two resorts in Colorado.

Usually, local ski resorts open in mid-November, and last year Mountain High opened unusually late, on Dec. 6.

See photos and read more about Mountain High opening for season pass holders on Thursday.

Here’s some basic info on the local resorts that opened:

Mountain High

Ticket prices: Early season tickets are $25 for children ages 7 to 12, $30 for night tickets (5 to 10 p.m.), $35 for a 4-hour ticket, and $40 for an 8-hour ticket. Season tickets offered at a discounted price of $299 until Oct. 31, or they run out. Regular price is $599.

Directions: Take the 91 freeway to Interstate 15 north. Exit Highway 138 West and make a left on Highway 2. Mountain High is three miles past the town of Wrightwood. Travel time from Orange County is about 75 minutes.

Information:mthigh.com

Bear Mountain

Ticket prices: Early season rates are $25 for adults, $20 for young adults and $10 for children.

Directions: 91 East to the 215 North, to Interstate 10 East, to the 210 West, to Highway 330 / Mtn. Resorts. Highway 330 goes through Running Springs and turns into Highway 18. Follow Highway 18 East and turn right across the Big Bear Lake dam. Stay on Big Bear Blvd.

Information: bearmountain.com

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