A snowmaking machine works to cover the hill at Pine Mountain Ski & Golf Resort in Iron Mountain. Pine Mountain anticipates opening next weekend. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Local ski resorts are working hard to prepare for the upcoming season.

Norway Mountain anticipates opening today after a problem with a groomer delayed its plans to start Friday.

To get set, Norway Mountain has 15 snow guns operating and expects to have 75% of the hills available for use by next weekend. Lift tickets this weekend will be $25. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

A tubing hill at Norway Mountain may be ready by Christmas break.

Also, a new rope for the Odin chair has arrived but won’t be installed until after the season. It will be one of the first projects for the off season.

Pine Mountain Ski & Golf Resort plans to have eight runs open next weekend, said Braeden Wixom, recreation manager.

“Some runs will be open to get people out on the hill,” he said.

Pine Mountain has eight guns operating 24 hours — 12-hour shifts with two to four people working each shift.

New this year, the resort plans to open a tubing hill that can be used with a day pass.

Meanwhile, Ski Brule in Iron River will have eight of 17 runs open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday.

Many parts of the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin were hit by heavy snowfall around Thanksgiving that helped ski resorts and U.P. snowmobile clubs. However, the Dickinson County area received only about 4 to 5 inches. Since then, the area has received some lighter snowfalls.

In recent years, local snow accumulations have been below average — including a near-record mild winter in 2023-24.