Welcome to my weekly ski blog here on Ski Central! The ski and snowboard season is off and running, and by the looks of this week’s cold, snowmaking weather, it should be a good one.  Each week there will be my latest video ski report right here, in case you miss it on WSTM NBC-3. Catch the video report on Action News Live at Five Thursday evenings, and then again Friday and Saturday mornings on Today in Central New York (and yes, my infamous and stylish ski sweaters are back!)  One last housekeeping note - on the right hand side of the main Ski Central page you’ll see links to all the resorts around Central New York.

It is early winter, with 'Meteorological Winter' running from December through February. With it being so early in the season, our sport has some limitations. First and foremost, a limited number of trails are open. This can affect those learning to ski most directly as some resorts may only have terrain open for intermediate to advanced levels only. Be aware of limited hours and operations at ski areas. Weekends are a good bet but your choices will be slim Monday through Thursday of this coming week. Also, not all ski schools and day care centers may be running yet. Because it is still the start of the season, resorts are still in their hiring mode. A great perk from working at them is the free skiing you get on your off time.

A few notes about local ski resorts in particular. Bristol Mountain will have Central New York’s first night skiing starting this weekend. Skiing under the lights brings a whole new dimension to the sport. There are often less people on the slopes, but the snow can get skied off a bit and ice can make it to the surface more. I can remember spending years on the slopes in ski clubs, skiing at night. Ahh, good times!  Bristol also has a new ski lift for beginners this year. It’s a magic carpet surface conveyor lift. No need to hold onto a rope tow for that first time out. Just step on and ride to the top like an escalator.

Four Seasons likely won’t be open just yet but when they do you can look for improved snowmaking. New snow guns were purchased and installed this summer to make more of the magic white stuff for skiing, boarding and tubing there.

Labrador and Toggenburg are both running ski schools and clinics for instructors this Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7. There is also a ski and skate sale going on at the Fayetteville-Manlius Park and Rec Deptartment's swap this Saturday, December 6 from 9:00 am until noon. Representatives from Toggenburg Mountain will also be on hand with some offers.

I personally have an order in to Santa Claus for a new pair of ski boots. You know what would go great with that? A ski lift package from seven ski areas around Central New York sound nice? Well here on CNYcentral.com there is a new offer for just that. Click on the 'Half Off CNY' ski package for an exclusive deal that retails for $240 but cost you only 100 bucks. You get one lift for each resort for this winter. How can you go wrong as this brings a day of skiing down to less than $15 a day? There are less than one hundred left and going fast.

Until next week, happy trails!