Blacktail Mountain Ski Area west of Lakeside is entering its 10th season with plans for a Dec. 8 opening.

Up until this week, snow had been scarce on the mountain, but manager Steve Spencer is optimistic that the targeted opening will hold up.

"We're just waiting for Mother Nature to give us a go," he said.

Snowmaking has been under way at the summit, where there is a base of about 20 inches.

Blacktail has carved out a niche as a convenient, family-oriented destination with its lodge and parking distinctively located at the top of the 6,780-foot mountain.

The 1,000 acres of terrain and the ski area's three main chairs remain unchanged from last year.

A terrain park for snowboarders was added last year on the Independence Park run, featuring rails and boxes, along with table-top, step-up and pyramid jumps.

"It was pretty successful last year," Spencer said of the terrain park. "We expanded it probably three-fold of what it was prior."

A change at the lodge includes food and beverage services that will be provided by the new Tamarack Brew Pub in Lakeside. And the ski area's annual Old Man Winter Party will be held at the popular pub on Saturday.

For more information on Blacktail and its coming season, go to:

http://www.blacktailmountain.com