Just when the holiday season was looking anything but white and merry, Mountain Creek has redeemed it with a Christmas miracle. New Jersey skiers and riders can rejoice because the resort plans to open its lifts for the 2011/12 season on Monday, Dec. 26.

The resort plans to open Vernon Peak with five trails and South Peak with six trails plus 10-15 features. Since more favorable snowmaking temperatures are expected to return next week, they intend to pump out plenty of white stuff and expand terrain quickly heading into the New Year.

Cutting the ribbon at the Red Tail Lodge on Dec. 10. Photo Courtesy of Mountain Creek.

The resort has just opened their new Red Tail Lodge, the centerpiece of their $20 million in improvements that were completed over the summer. This 50,000-square-foot base lodge hosts three floors of rental, dining and retail spaces. The lodge is open Friday 12-6 p.m & Saturday 9 a.m-5 p.m. The new après bar Schuss will also be open this Friday 3-7 p.m with live entertainment from the John Moultrie Duo.

Need more stoke for the season? Watch this: