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SAM Magazine-Leavenworth, Wash., Nov. 18, 2011-Recent cold temperatures and periods of heavy snowfall combined with a strong winter weather outlook have led Stevens Pass, Schweitzer, Mt. Hood Meadows, Mission Ridge, and Summit West at Snoqualmie to open Nov. 19.

Stevens Pass is reporting a base of 25-32 inches, and will have its third-earliest opening of the past 25 years. It kicks off daily operations with terrain offerings on the Daisy and Brooks chairlifts. Additional terrain and chairlifts will be added as conditions allow. Tickets are $25 due to the limited available terrain.

Mt. Hood Meadows will also open with limited operations. Two lifts are scheduled to run, but more may be added as additional snow-more than a foot-is forecast through today. The resort will announce scheduled lift operations and lift ticket pricing for Saturday by Friday afternoon. Meadows has a minimum base depth of 20 inches.

Schweitzer 's opening is its earliest since the 198-/85 season, thanks to snowmaking and two feet of natural snowfall this season. Schweitzer has converted 3.7 million gallons of water into snow, enough to amass 18 inches of snow on Midway and Happy Trails. Terrain will be available for all ability levels, with the Basin Express and Musical Chairs lifts open. Tickets will be $40. Some Nordic trails will be groomed as well. Schweitzer will close down midweek and reopen on Nov. 25 for the weekend, weather permitting.

Summit West, with two feet of base, will run the Pacific Crest, Little Thunder, Dodge Ridge and Julie's lifts through the weekend, close Monday and Tuesday, and reopen Wednesday. Mission Ridge will operate for the weekend, then reopen Nov. 25-27.