Snow Summit's annual Torchlight Parade and New Year's Eve Party is set for Dec. 31.

Annual traditions such as flipping the switch on the snow-making machines for the ski season in the Southern California's San Bernardino mountains, began the last week in October 2010. This is the favorite time of year for many who have waited over 6 months to get up on the slopes. And believe it or not, it is time to begin planning you winter holidays. While the mountain cabins and lodges typcially sell out for Christmas in Big Bear Lake, Lake Tahoe, and Mammoth Mountains, if you get booking now you might find yourself singing "White Christmas" instead of standing on a hot, sandy desert or beach gazing to the white mountain peaks.

For those on a budget, there's a $23 adult ski ticket for skiing half nights, weekdays only. If you have a winter birthday, you can ski free on your special day. See snowsummit.com

With hopes of snow on the horizon, Big Bear Lake's Snow Summit is counting on the annual New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade on Dec. 31.