WARREN, Vermont — As New England’s late dance with Indian summer comes to an end, Sugarbush plans to open for skiing and riding for the 2009-10 winter season. The resort picked up close to a foot of natural snow last Saturday and had a good run of snowmaking temps in the early part of this week. Depending on how Thursday’s weather pans out, Sugarbush could be open as early as Friday, December 4th.

“It looks like Mother Nature’s mean streak will be coming to end by Friday,” joked Sugarbush’s Communications Director JJ Toland. “We had some great snowmaking temps in the beginning of the week and were able to make snow in the base area (of Lincoln Peak.) Thursday’s predicted rain might push opening back until Saturday, but once that weather leaves, it looks like winter will be moving in.”

The National Weather Service is predicting cold temperatures to return to Vermont by Thursday night with the chance of snow through Friday. Visit the Snow Report page at sugarbush.com for the most up-to-date information on Opening Day.

And with the start of the season, come the parties. The Pairing of the Passions will be held December 11-12. The six-year old event, historically held at the Dorset Inn in southern Vermont, showcases local artists, food and spirits. Held in an “open house” style, the two-day event will begin Friday December 11th in Timbers with artists displaying their works for holiday shoppers. On Saturday, December 12th, the food and wine join the party. From 12-5 p.m. on Saturday, visitors will be able to work on their holiday gift list while sampling wine and cheese from local vendors.

The SugarBash “White Hot Fever” will kick the season into high gear on Saturday night. Continuing in the spirit of last year’s successful 50th Birthday Bash, the SugarBash 2009 will begin with dinner in Timbers prepared by Vermont’s Chef of the Year Gerry Nooney. The dance party gets underway at 9 p.m. in the Gate House with Motor Booty Affair returning to inject some funk into the start of the season.

For the complete lineup of events and times, visit the Events page at sugarbush.com. To purchase tickets to the SugarBash, call 800.53.SUGAR.