Ski Bluewood will open Friday for the 2015-16 season.

Ski Bluewood will open its 2015-16 season Friday, with snow in the forecast through the end of the week. Currently, the mountain has 26 inches at base and 46 inches on the summit.

Both the Skyline Express and Platter Pull chairlifts will run opening day, with the first chair at 9 a.m. The Triple Nickel lift is still to be determined.

“We’re stoked that opening day is almost here, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests and go out and have fun,” said resort Manager Kim Clark.

Starting Dec. 18, Ski Bluewood will be open every day through Jan. 3, except for Christmas Day. Daily hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for Christmas Eve, when the hill closes at 2 p.m. Ski Bluewood is located outside of Dayton, Washington, about 95 miles from Pendleton.

Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort also opened Dec. 5, and now has 90 inches of snow on the season to go with a 35-inch base. The resort is located 19 miles west of the North Powder exit off Interstate 84. Meanwhile, Spout Springs Ski Resort — the closest downhill ski area to Pendleton, located along Highway 204 near Tollgate — is waiting for more snow to fall before owner John Murray will consider opening for the season. The last two years have been a wash for Spout Springs, as unseasonably warm and dry weather has limited snowpack in the Blue Mountains.

Murray said the hill has about 8 inches of packed snow at base, which isn’t enough to open safely. He would like to see a 20-inch base, which likely won’t come until after Christmas.

“Keeping it safe and sane is what’s important to us,” Murray said.

Spout Springs remains for sale, listed at $1.25 million. Murray, 66, has owned the 1,400-acre resort since 1999 and said he is looking to retire.

The resort has 14 ski runs and operates on a lease with the Umatilla National Forest. It is listed through Coldwell Banker in Walla Walla. For more information, call 541-938-0100.

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Contact George Plaven at gplaven@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0825.