Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Ski Area has received 12 inches of snow in the past 24 hours, including 7 inches since early this morning. A winter weather advisory remains in effect until midnight tonight.

With a foot of new snow on the slopes, Steamboat Ski Area officials said 34 trails over 356 acres will be open for skiing and riding Friday, when the gondola and Burgess Creek lifts will open along with Thunderhead Food Court.

Among the trails expected to be available for skiing and riding Friday:

– Green: Arc, Feather, Main Drag, Right-O-Way, Stampede, Big Foot, Flat Out, Park Lane, Short Cut, Why Not-Upper, Boulevard, Giggle Gulch, Preview, So What and Yoo Hoo

– Blue: Blizzard, Lower Rainbow, Skyline, Vogue, Eagles’ Nest, Jess’ Cut-off, Rudi’s Run, Tower, Ego, Lightning, Sitz, Upper Vagabond (around 9 a.m.) and Heavenly Daze (around 10:30 a.m.)

– Blue/Black: Norther and Surprise

– Black: Burgess Creek Liftline, See Ya and White Out

Friday’s openings will expand ski area operations to four out of 18 lifts and nearly 12 percent of terrain.

The ski area plans to announce its Saturday openings on Friday. The ski area already has said the Storm Peak Express chairlift will open Saturday, providing access to top-to-bottom skiing at Mount Werner.

Ski area officials stressed late Thursday that no backcountry access is yet available at the ski area, and cautioned skiers and riders to follow SlopeWise safety regulations.

The National Weather Service upgraded its winter weather advisory to include the city of Steamboat Springs. The forecast calls for continued snow this afternoon before eventually tapering off this evening. Between 4 and 8 inches are expected in the valley, with higher totals on the slopes of Mount Werner.

According to that advisory, the heaviest snowfall will be on northwest-facing slopes.

Hazardous driving conditions are expected over Rabbit Ears Pass throughout today and tonight.

Winter Park Resort, also operated by Intrawest, announced plans to open expanded terrain Friday as well. Rocky Mountain Ultimate Passholders have unlimited skiing access to Winter Park and Copper Mountain as well as the Steamboat Ski Area.