Breckenridge’s BreckConnect in town terminal gets covered in more than eight inches of snow. Taken in Breckenridge at 8 a.m. this morning. Photo: Breckenridge Ski Resort

Skiers and snowboarders in Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone woke up to winter this morning. As of 10 a.m. on Sunday morning, Breckenridge had more than eight inches of snow in town with even more snow on the mountain. Keystone was reporting seven inches at mid-mountain snow stakes with six inches falling at Vail and Beaver Creek. The snow continues to fall and the Colorado mountains are under a winter snow advisory until 6 p.m. this evening. The forecast calls for snow through Monday afternoon with another storm predicted for the end of the week.

Snowmaking operations are also set to kick off this evening at Keystone Resort with Breckenridge Ski Resort firing up their guns at the end of the week. Opening day at Breckenridge and Keystone is just 26 days away with the lifts turning on Friday, Nov. 9. At Vail, the season gets underway Friday, Nov. 16 and Beaver Creek opens Wednesday, Nov. 21

Breckenridge’s snowcat fleet is ready to roll after the resort receives nearly a foot on snow on Sunday morning. Taken at Breckenridge Ski Resort at 8 a.m. this morning. Photo: Breckenridge Ski Resort

Book Now for the Best Deals on Winter Escapes

So, now is the time to book your winter vacation. With an elevation of 9600 feet, Breckenridge is legendary for its early season conditions. And, this years skiers and snowboarders can ski for 3 days and stay for 3 nights and get the 4th night of lodging and day of skiing for free. Packages start as low as $301 per person, based on double occupancy in a hotel room. This works out to $75.25 per day, per person. Other rates and lodging types available. For more information or to book Breck's Ski Free, Stay Free package, go to Breckenridge.com.

Or, book your ski and snowboard vacation at Keystone and get free activities like snowshoe ecology treks, snowbiking clinics and yoga classes. Packages start at $324 per person for four nights of lodging with four days of skiing plus Adventure Passports that provide hundreds of dollars of free activities and discounts. This rate is based on quad occupancy in a 2-bedroom Forest condominium and is valid Nov. 21-Dec. 21, Jan. 6-Feb. 13 and March 23-April 5. Other dates and rates are available. For more information or to book the Ski Free, Stay Free Keystone package, visit keystoneresort.com.

Kick off Vail’s 45th ski season at Vail Snow Daze, a week-long festival including headliner concerts with Ludacris and The Roots, on-snow contests (snowball eating) and the Dummy Gelunde Championships. Check out the schedule at vailsnowdaze.com. Take advantage of lodging packages during Snow Daze and buy three nights of lodging and three days of skiing and get the fourth lodging night and day of skiing for free. Offer features quad occupancy in a two-bedroom condo for as low as $374 per person (a 25 percent savings) and is valid Nov. 24- Dec. 12, 2007. Additional restrictions may apply. Visit vail.com to book or call 800-404-3535.

Buy three nights of lodging and three days of skiing in Beaver Creek and get a fourth night and ski day free. Price starts at $393 per person based on quad occupancy in a two-bedroom condominium with a four-night minimum stay. Offer is valid Nov. 17–Dec. 14, 2007. Buy four nights of lodging and four days of skiing in Beaver Creek and get a fifth night and ski day free. Price starts at $533 per person based upon quad occupancy in a two-bedroom condominium with a five-night minimum stay. Offer is valid Jan. 6–Feb. 15, 2008. Beaver Creek opens for skiing and snowboarding on Nov. 21, 2007. Taxes, surcharge and gratuity not included. Offer based upon availability. Other restrictions may apply. Other dates, rates and properties available. Call (800) 404-3535 or visit www.beavercreek.com for reservations and more information

Snow covers trails at Beaver Creek on Sunday morning. Photo: Beaver Creek Resort

What’s New at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone:

* Keystone's spa is getting an extreme makeover with 2,000 additional square feet, five new treatment rooms and a complete renovation. The Keystone Lodge & Spa is set to open in November for the start of the ski and snowboard season. With more than 10,000 square feet, Keystone's spa will be the largest and most elegant in Summit County featuring an aromatherapy infinity tub, a Vichy shower room, a couples room and a new relaxation room. To learn more or to make an appointment, visit keystoneresort.com or call 800.468.5004.

*Building on the momentum of the last season's Breck Connect Gondola, 150 acres of new terrain and the Imperial Express, Breckenridge is turning its attention to the development of a new terrain park progression system on Peak 8. Breckenridge is designing a multi-level park pod that will feature a beginner park and pipe, an intermediate park as well as the famed expert superpark and pipe on Freeway. The resort has committed to adding a snowmaking system on Peak 8’s Park Lane and to turning the entire 3,500 ft. run into a mid sized, intermediate park.

* For Vail’s 45th season skiers and snowboarders can take advantage of two new high speeds quads replacing Chairs 10 and 14, expediting the trip to Two Elk Restaurant, China Bowl and Blue Sky Basin. The new Arrabelle at Vail Square, a new 36-room hotel debuts in January 2008, featuring a luxurious hotel experience that combines Old World charm and the timeless elegance of Europe’s grand resorts with the romance and world-class style of Vail’s alpine heritage.

* At Beaver Creek, the world’s premier children’s ski and snowboard school experience just got better. Beaver Creek introduces the new eight-passenger Buckaroo Express Gondola, a short gondola ride designed with the resort’s smallest customers in mind. With a ride time of just 3.75 minutes, the Buckaroo gives kids (and grownups) a warm and comfortable ride to beginner learning terrain. The Buckaroo replaces the Haymeadow Lift (#1) and can carry 1,665 people per hour. The lift is 1,671 feet in length with 10 towers and 26 cabins. The gondola will open for the 2007-2008 winter season.