This is what Ron Coddington has been waiting for.

Enough snow to open up North Idaho ski resorts for the season.

The Coeur d'Alene snowboarder has his season pass for Silver Mountain Resort and is pumped for downhill action.

"Unfortunately, Silver is one of the last resorts to open," he said earlier this week.

That will change today when Silver and Schweitzer Mountain Resort open for the season. Schweitzer has also been open for the past two weekends.

Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area is now open on its regular Thursday through Monday schedule.

Coddington said the somewhat sluggish start to the ski season due in part to recent rain makes the anticipation to hit the slopes even stronger.

"I believe once we get snow, we're going to have an epic year," Coddington said. "We're supposed to get a ton of snow this week. I can't wait for opening day."

Coddington grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., and he believes the accessibility to ski resorts in North Idaho is something some people take for granted.

"It was a few hours whichever way we went (in New York)," he said. "Here I have it in my backyard. I couldn't live in a better place."

Here's a look at the area resorts:

LOOKOUT PASS

Lookout was open for a few days in late November, but will open for its regular Thursday to Monday schedule from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting this week.

It will be open seven days a week from Dec. 19 to Jan. 7. After that, it will be open six days a week and closed on Tuesdays.

"We're anticipating an average or slightly above average year, but it's all weather dependent," said Chris Barrett, marketing director.

The beginner area has a new chairlift - Chair 4 - to allow the ski school to operate more smoothly.

The area's free ski school for ages 6-17, which has been running for more than 70 years, starts Jan. 12 and runs into March. Advance online registration is required.

Another lodge expansion with eight hotel rooms is planned for next summer.

"On a busy day, we can't accommodate all of our guests, and we already have a good-sized lodge," Barrett said.

Barrett said more marketing efforts with social media have been made to reach out to teens and the college crowd.

"We want to do that without losing that edge of being a family-friendly resort," Barrett said.

SILVER MOUNTAIN

While the resort was open to tubing and scenic rides earlier, it will be open for skiing for the season today.

"It's looking good for opening as the snow line keeps going down along with the temperatures," according to the resort's website.

As of Tuesday, a total of 48 inches of snow had fallen this winter.

A new advanced terrain run in the Chair 4 basin will open this year.

"It has some great terrain for some awesome powder skiing," said spokesman Neal Scholey.

The resort will employ about 250 people this winter. There are some openings for the ski school and housekeeping. Information: (208) 783-1111.

The gondola is open 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., lifts are open 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and snow tubing 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Silver Rapids Indoor Water Park, a 42,000-square-foot facility that includes a restaurant, bar and retail space built in 2009, and the 200-plus condominiums in the Morning Star Lodge will be offered for auction on Jan. 15.

The auction is the first in a series of sealed bids involving Silver Mountain Resort as a whole. Other assets being offered for auction include a mid-February sale of the ski and mountain operations at the resort.

"Silver Mountain Resort will continue to operate all aspects of the resort and serve its daily customers with both recreational and lodging activities throughout the upcoming season," a press release states.

SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN

Schweitzer plans to re-open today for the season seven days a week. Lift hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

As of Tuesday, 74 total inches of snow had fallen for the year.

"We're pretty much right on time," said Sean Briggs, marketing coordinator. "Snow making helped us out early on."

The resort spent more than $1 million in improvements for this season, including doubling the size of the Gourmandie market, remodeling the interior of the ski and ride center, replacing the drive and chairs on Musical Chairs (beginner lift), replacing the electrical system on the Great Escape Quad and upgrading lodging amenities.

The exterior of the Mill Building also received structural upgrades.

The Community Day fundraiser will be held on Dec. 14. Visitors can ski all day for $10 and the proceeds will benefit Community Cancer Services of Sandpoint.

Schweitzer will employ about 400 to start and ramp up to around 700 during peak season. About 60 percent of employees are seasonal part time, 30 percent are seasonal full time, and 10 percent are year-round full time.

The resort doesn't have any openings, but new openings will be posted on its website.