If the weather cooperates, we could be skiing next weekend.

When most of us are still raking leaves and the golf clubs are still in the car, it seems hard to believe, but the snow guns have been tested at several areas, and as soon as temperatures permit base, building will begin. Sunday River’s target date is next Friday, and with their snowmaking system combined with seasonal cold weather, there could be a number of trails open. As always everything depends on the weather.

Sunday River is the only Maine area planning on opening next weekend.

The only other area planning on being open is Bretton Woods. Their plan was to be start this weekend, but the weather put that off so look for the area to open as soon as enough snow is down to cover a few runs.

The ski areas of the Ski Maine Association are starting the season with the annual Tin Mountain Roundup. This event, started by Sugarloaf and adopted by Ski Maine, allows discount lift tickets for the donation of three cans of food which goes to local food banks.

At Sunday River, the ticket will be $20 with the three cans of food.

Next to open in Maine will be Sugarloaf with a target date of Nov. 19.

The 20th and 21st will be Tin Mountain Roundup. Bring three cans of food and purchase a lift ticket for just $21. Shawnee Peak will open Dec. 11 and will have a $15 lift ticket for those who bring food.

Shawnee Peak will host a snowmobile event December 4-5 for those who enjoy watching those machines flying up the mountain.

At Saddleback, Tom McAllister told me they would be opening Dec. 18, which is the target date for completion of the base lodge. Skiers will hit the biggest change on the way in. The access road has been totally rebuilt and paved and another mile of road has been added to a new garage and the site of new hotel projected for next year. On the mountain snowmaking upgrades have been completed and a new pumping station on the lake was expected to be completed by this weekend. The seven new trails are ready, the new quad chair is in and extension of the Rangeley chair below the base lodge is nearly done.

According to McAllister all projects will be completed by the December opening date, although work might still be going on in the base lodge. Tin Mountain will be $5 off a lift ticket.

Two other Maine ski areas have projected openings that same weekend.

Lost Valley is shooting for Dec. 17 which will be its Tin Mountain Roundup day, and Mt. Abram will open Dec. 18 with its annual Emergency Worker Appreciation Day. Firefighters, police officers and rescue personnel will receive complimentary skiing. Mt. Abrams’ Tin Mountain Roundup will be Jan. 29-30.

Over in New Hampshire, Waterville Valley plans on opening Nov. 20 with Attitash, Cannon and Cranmore shooting for Thanksgiving weekend. Wildcat simply posts late November for the opening. All openings, of course, are weather permitting. Keep an eye on the forecasts and pay attention to temperatures in the mountains. Today’s snowmaking systems can produce snow at temperatures below freezing, but to be really effective temperatures in the low 20s are needed. If you see those temperatures, we’ll have plenty of skiing in a few weeks.

The question is, are you ready? Here the golf shirts are being put away (A few will be kept out in case a quick trip South comes up), and ski wear is being pulled out. The boots have been tried on and worn for about an hour while checking the tune on the skis. I’m not allowed to wear them in the living room watching TV, but they give great support standing at the work bench now that it has been set up for tuning and waxing. The skis were cleaned and a protective coat of wax applied last spring so there wasn’t be much to do.

The ski box stays on the car year round so I don’t have to worry about attaching ski racks. Every spring I take them off the car and apply anti-rust compound to any bolts so I don’t wind up with racks that are frozen in place.

The boot bag is out and such necessities as goggles, gloves, hats, ski lock and other items are ready as well. In other words, I’m ready to ski whenever the slopes are open. Between now and the next column, the car will be prepared and snow tires in place.

The next sure thing on the ski schedule will be the Boston Snowsports Expo at Bayside Expo. The show runs Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 18-21. For details and a discount coupon check www.SnowSportsExpo.com.

One final change makes the season official. The picture in our entryway of a golf course with a ski area in the background has been switched.

Instead of green, the course is now covered in snow as are the trails in the background.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer from Westbrook.