Winter weather has arrived, meaning it’s time to dust off the snow gear for this year’s season on the slopes.

Whether you’re a skier or snowboarder, or just like to play in the snow, local resorts are gearing up for the mountain-bound crowds as this latest shot of new snow falls from the sky. Storms this week and last, as well as cold temperatures that have allowed for snow making, mean the snow season is quickly sledding into Southern California.

“We’re looking great,” said Mountain High spokesman John McColly, anticipating this newest storm to bring another 6 inches to a foot of fresh snow for the Wrightwood resort’s opening this week. “We’re off to a good start.”

Mountain High will be the first local resort to open; it will welcome season passholders on Thursday and the general public the following day, a month earlier than last year’s Dec. 10 opening day.

While Big Bear Mountain Resorts,which includes Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, has yet to announce its opening days, officials say they hope to have a better gauge once this week’s storm blows through. Snow Valley in the San Bernardino mountains plans on opening the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, depending on conditions.

Mammoth Mountain, about a six-hour drive from Southern California, opened over the weekend, a week earlier than expected following a heaping shot of snow with an expected 5 feet more by midweek.

Several resorts have announced new offerings this year, everything from improved snow making and rental operations to better night lighting for evening sessions and upgraded outdoor space for winding down after skiing and cocktail sipping.

Mountain High >> The resort has made about $1 million in improvements this year, including more snow-making machines, new rental equipment and new multi- week development programs for youths.

For making snow — the resort touts its system as one of the largest in the country — more than $200,000 was invested to increase production and reduce energy consumption by using a combination of TechnoAlpin TT10 Fan Guns and Ratnik Mid-E Guns.

“We want to make as much snow as possible, but we’re also trying to be green and good stewards of the forest and the environment,” said McColly. “Improvements help us make more snow quicker. What used to take three days, we can now make in a day. And we do it with less fuel and energy. We’re helping to reduce our carbon footprint — more snow with less energy and less fuel.”

In the rental shop, Mountain High will offer a Rossignol Experience Center, a performance-oriented rental center where the resort has added $200,000 worth of new ski and snowboard rentals. There’s also a new repair center added this year, with $50,000 worth of new tuning equipment.

The lifts got an upgrade with about $400,000 invested in maintenance and repairs over the summer to “increase their efficiency, reliability, and overall safety,” resort officials said.

For those who like the jumps and jibs, the park got an upgrade, with more than 10 new features, including new rails and a ledge box. Also, the Foggy Goggle, Mountain High’s base-deck bar, got a face-lift this summer.

Mountain High has added a new ski school director who will launch a new multiweek lesson program for youths, held on Saturdays starting in late-January. The Teen Adventure Program will be aimed at ages 13 to 18, while the Junior Yeti will be for ages 7 to 12.

“If you want to get good fast, it’s a great way to do it,” McColly said. “You go home with a lot of new skills.”

While lifts open this week, the Yeti Snow Play area for tubing, sledding and scenic sky chair rides opens Thanksgiving Day.

Big Bear Mountain Resort >> Big Bear Mountain Resort has completed the final touches on a $2 million improvement project, adding more parking options for visitors and housing for seasonal employees.

At Bear Mountain, visitors will see improvements at Laybacks Bar, with a redesign both inside and outside.

Justin Kanton, spokesman for Big Bear Mountain Resort, said Laybacks offers a 360-degree view with outdoor heating and better indoor and outdoor seating.

One of the biggest investments was done off the mountain. The resort, in an effort to address the lack of affordable housing in the Big Bear Valley, purchased the Travelodge Hotel for both short-term and long-term employees.

“With so many homeowners and second homeowners converting into short-time rentals, the ability of long-term rentals has become a problem,” Kanton said. “It’s become a real apparent need when it comes to staffing and being able to hire enough people to get our facilities open. We decided to be proactive this season.”

The building is still under renovation but will have 120 rooms, mostly multi-person units. The resort also entered into an agreement with another lodging property that has an additional 120 beds.

“We’re trying to make the impact where we can and we’ll look to hopefully, potentially expand as needed in the future if the circumstances and opportunity arises,” Kanton said.

For visitors, more parking spots will be available. Big Bear Mountain Resort and the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District agreed to exchange property parcels “to better serve their respective constituents and the greater Big Bear Valley community,” an announcement said.

Snow Valley >> Snow Valley, Southern California’s longest continually operating ski area, is heading into the 85th winter season, and officials said it will include better night skiing and snowboarding and the return of in-restaurant dining.

For night riders, Snow Valley is improving its lighting system, replacing traditional lighting with LED products designed to dramatically reduce energy consumption and help with visibility and safety, officials said.

Night season tickets are popular due to their cost — about half the price of a full-day lift ticket — and the smaller crowds. Snow Valley is open for night skiing until 8 p.m. on most Fridays and Saturdays from December through the end of the season, weather permitting.

“Snow Valley’s night skiing and snowboarding gets more popular every season,” Snow Valley Vice President and General Manager Kevin A. Somes said. “People love the experience, how quiet it gets after the sun goes down in the mountains. Some say it’s tranquil, more peaceful.”

In-restaurant dining and drinking is also returning this season, though Snow Valley will also continue to serve grab-and-go grub. Also back is the Last Run Lounge, which has a full bar and will offer draft microbrews, wintry cocktails, wines and a wood fireplace.

On the Chalet Deck at Snow Valley, menu offerings will change throughout the season.

Mammoth Mountain >> The resort opened with four lifts last weekend after getting a base of 11 inches up to 16 inches, with more snowfall coming down with this week’s storm.

The resort spent $5 million on snow-making equipment, adding automated machines that increase snow production during cold weather windows.

One of the bigger projects is a multiyear expansion and enhancement of the Woolly’s Tube Park, which transforms from a summer adventure park to a hub for winter fun.

The resort added six new snow-making fan guns to blow onto tubing lanes and a new, elevated conveyor lift. The parking area was expanded and the snow play and sledding areas are larger as well.

Long-term plans at the site include a day lodge, a mountain coaster, the relocation of the Snowmobile Adventures headquarters and a summer ropes course. Nearby at The Mill, a popular barbecue restaurant and bar, an expansion will double the size of the outdoor bar and the indoor restaurant space.

Mammoth is also grappling with housing troubles for employees. The resort closed escrow in July for the Sierra Lodge Employee Housing, to be used exclusively for up to 72 staffers. Mammoth currently offers housing to about 500 employees.

New flights launching Nov. 23 by Advanced Air will make it easier to get to the slopes with departures from Hawthorne, Burbank and Carlsbad airports.