A quick glance at the live webcams and we can see that Ski Beech is making snow at 7:42am, You can really see the snow flying on this cam> Ski Beech Live Web Cam
I am REALLY liking the view from the new Beech Alpen Inn cam that we can pan and zoom into Ski Beech. That one is also showing some awesome morning shots of some snowmaking and shadows cast on Upper Shawneehaw as the sun comes up. Check that out> Beech Mountain Live Cam
Snowmaking is happening all across the region as we see reports of it at Timberline, Snowshoe, Winterplace, Wintergreen and Massanutten as well as at Ober Gatlinburg – which really needed some added manmade.
Today should be an awesome day on the slopes as there will be plenty of sun and temperatures that are right at average for this time of year. Cold and snow is is the forecast for tomorrow with some mixed precip on Wednesday and snow on Thursday. The next several days will also be very cold and the resorts will be making snow and you will want to get out and enjoy the sweet conditions that result!
Don’t forget that Saturday we play host to the SkiNC / Ski Beech Summit at Ski Beech all day. Ski Beech is really going overboard to make for a great day with a cookout, Live DJ, some raffles for some nice items. One is a Season Pass for the 2009-2010 season! SkiNC is also going to be raffling off more than 160 new hoodies and tees with all the profits going to the Helena Jolly Education Fund. Check out the SkiNC Summit page and come join us for some fun and get 50% of Lift Ticket to ski either ALL DAY or the Twilight ticket at HALF PRICE!
Let’s share some details:
The Southeast and Mid Atlantic region is made up of 16 ski areas (we don’t count Oglebay with the one ski hill and Hawksnest no longer offers skiing). Those 16 ski areas constitute 338 trails in five states and of those 338 trails – 294 of open for skiing and riding with some of the most AWESOME conditions of the 2008-2009 season. For those keeping count, that is 87% open terrain across the region. The breakdown by state:
Maryland: (Wisp is the lone resort): 29 of 32 trails and 91% open
West Virginia: 141 of 164 trails and 86% open
Virginia: 49 of 53 trails and 92% open
North Carolina: 69 of 81 trails and 85% open
Tennessee: (Ober is the lone resort): 6 of 8 trails and 75% open
We offer a quick glance tour today. Enjoy!
Wisp Resort in Maryland – 7° – 2" of new snow and 98" on the season. That gets them to within two inches of the average FULL SEASON total and they offer 29 of 32 trails open today (91% open) and they made snow on selected trails and report a base of 20-58". Awesome conditions await you at the Garrett County, Maryland ski area.
West Virginia Ski Areas – Reporting 141 of 164 trails open today – 86%
Snowshoe Mountain – 8° low – They are reporting no snowmaking for like the 5th sub freezing day in a row on their website. However, according to Laura Parquette, they HAVE been making snow at night and turning the guns off to make their guest experience primo. Snowshoe picked up another 2" of snow on Monday and that takes them to 158" on the season! They offer 59 of 60 trails open (98% open) and a reported base of: 54"
Snowshoe writes, "I’ve got two words for you this morning.. powder and sunshine! With blue skies and 2 more inches of fresh snowfall, it’s going to be a beautiful day to hit the slopes. Grooming took place on nearly every trail allowing skiers and riders to test out their carving legs on perfect packed powder conditions. If you can make it out for first tracks you’re going to love it. The Subaru Master the Mountain event is coming up this weekend. This is your chance to pick up some complimentary skiing tips or even take a tour with ski patrol to the new trails on the South Mountain. Be sure to visit our website at www.snowshoemtn.com for further details. Call 1-877-441-4FUN and plan your winter escape to Snowshoe today!"
Canaan Valley – 11° low – Did not make snow but they have received 4" of snow in the last 72 hours, with another 1.7" falling on Monday to give them 150.7" of snow on the season. They are 62% open with 24 of 39 trails and awesome conditions. Reported base: 20-40"
Timberline Resort – 11° low – Reporting some snowmaking on selected trails and another 1" of natural snow to take them to 150" on the season! They offer 30 of 37 trails (81% open) and a reported base of: 30-60" and 90% groomed/powder conditions. Awesome.
Winterplace Resort – 14° low – TRACE of snow and they made snow as well! 100% open with all 28 trails and packed powder and groomed conditions. Reported base: 40-80" and awesome conditions for skiing and tubing as well.
Virginia Ski Areas – Reporting 49 of 53 trails open today – 92%
Wintergreen Resort – 16° low – Made snow most all day and they are making snow this AM. They also report TWO INCHES of natural snow (that was a surprise and great news too!) They have 96% of their mountain open (25 of 26 trails) and AWESOME conditions today. They have a reported base of: 30-50"
Massanutten Resort – 16° low – Made Snow – 100% Open – All 14 Trails and 8 lanes of tubing are open as well! Reported base: 40"
Bryce Resort – 21° – Did not make snow – 100% Open – All 8 trails – Reported base: 34-59" Groomed
The Homestead – They are not reporting snowmaking and they report 2 of 5 trails open. 40%
North Carolina Ski Areas – Reporting 69 of 81 trails open today – 85%
Appalachian Ski Mountain – 19° low – 100% Open – They made snow but are not during open sessions! – Reported base: 73-98" – Open with all 10 trails. Grooming looks AWESOME this morning!
Cataloochee Ski Area – 25° low – 100% Open – They made snow but are not during open sessions! – Reported base: 34-80" – Open with all 14 trails. Grooming looks AWESOME this morning!
Ski Beech – 18° on one station and 27° at their station – 73% Open – They made snow all evening, most of the day on Monday and are making snow right now and will be doing so as long as temps allow. The forecasted temp up there will take things above snowmaking range so look for the guns to turn off and be prepared for some AWESOME conditions. Grooming looks great this morning. They are open with 11 of 15 slopes and a reported base of 30-60"
Sugar Mountain – 13° low – 100% Open – Reported baseL 41-77". They made snow but the groomers are putting the final touches on as we were updating this report and they look AWESOME! Open with all 20 trails, snow tubing and ice skating as well.
Wolf Ridge Resort – 22° low – 60% Open with 12 of 20 trails and groomed conditions. Reported base: 50-70" and they made snow overnight and are making snow as of this update! They too are looking awesome this morning!
Hawksnest’s Tubing Park – They made snow and they really look fast – and quite nice today. The low was 15°.
Sapphire Valley Ski Area – Some people are asking us WHY we are not talking much about Sapphire this season. The answer is simple – THEY are not talking about themselves! We get updates about once every 10-14 days. There’s been no report since the 13th, but we can assume that they are making snow and will be open this evening with 2 trails and snow tuning. They are closed on Wednesdays and Thursday and will reopen on Friday.
OBER GATLINBURG IN TENNESSEE made snow and they reported a low of 26° and 6 of 8 trails open (75% open).
If you have been delaying and waiting for a great weather period or weekend forecast, this is it. We have some snow in the forecast for Thursday and Saturday – and lots of cold temps and great terrain to ride. Make reservations today and get up here!
Until Next Time…
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