A GREAT SUNDAY ON TAP AT SOUTHEAST SKI RESORTS!

The morning after a good time at The SkiNC Summit 2006 and ski conditions should be simply marvelous for those that are planning on making it TWO DAYS of Summit fun as several are taking the Summit fun to Cataloochee today.  Most ski areas made snow last night and that and the frigid temps that hit last night allowed for snowmaking and that will make for awesome surface conditions for today. After a Saturday in long sleeved tees or SkiNC hoodies, Sunday will seem arctic-like as highs today will struggle to reach 30° in some places around the Western North Carolina Mountains and conditions will be MUCH COLDER as we look into West Virginia and Maryland as temps are not expected to get out of the TEENS at Snowshoe Mountain with snow flurries today. The latest forecast for Wisp Resort in Maryland is for SNOW and maybe as much as 3-6” of it today and Monday.

Resorts may opt to make snow all day and tonight as there will be perfect snowmaking ops through that period and then we are in for some milder days ahead with no snowmaking temperatures until late next weekend as it appears right now. Some resorts are only making snow at night. Check the slope conditions report.

I had a GREAT time skiing with you guys yesterday and thanks again for all of the very nice comments you guys made.  You guys and gals were b-o-m-m-b-e-r-r-r-r!

Here’s some notes around the area for Sunday.  We haven’t taken a detailed tour in a few days so let’s do it: (There’s competitions going on at several places!)

WISP RESORT – In Maryland has a LOT planned for today! They are hosting the Governor’s Cup Race today on Squirrel Cage. Governor Ehrlich will conduct the opening ceremonies at the bottom and the race will be ongoing after 10am.  They also have snow sculptor extraordinaire, Alan Matsumoto creating a SNOW Castle on the slopes of WISP. They also have a Bear Claw Snow Tubing Party from 6-10pm this evening with DJ Jonny Rock, games and a bonfire and more!  Oh yea! They have 32 trails open and they are expecting snow most all day.  The NWS is saying to expect 1-3” of snow today and more on Monday.  How’s that for great timing for all that fun planned!?!

SNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN – They are in the ICE BOX up there with temps at 7° early this morning and they are not expected to get above 15°!  They are also experiencing from snow flurries today. It will be COLD and BLUSTERY today!  Lower Shays Revenge will be closed today. Don’t miss out on the Boarder / Skier Cross event happening today on Slaymaker and Spur at the Silver Creek area. The event starts at 1:30pm. Also, don’t forget about our great midweek sale going on right now – get two nights lodging and two days lift tickets for only $99 per person at the Inn or $169 per person in the Village. Call 877-441-4FUN for reservations and more details. Snowshoe made snow last night in selected areas and they are playing on super conditions (best in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic and have 56 of 57 trails open!

MASSANUTTEN RESORT in Virginia is looking at a high today of 38° and that will be perfect for the comp planned today. Racing begins at 10am and will continue through 3pm or so and that is taking place on “Geronimo” so it will be closed until that comp completes. Their Terrain Park will also be closed for “SlopeStyle Competition” for most of the day.  Massanutten made snow as well!

WINTERGREEN RESORT used the 100% automated snowmaking system to great benefit last night! That means today’s product should be great! They are expecting great weather today, clear and cold with highs in the 20’s, so make plans to come out and ski & ride on all 24 of our trails. Today, all slopes are open and have been groomed overnight and 4 lifts will be running. The bumps on Upper Wild Turkey continue to grow, come check them out. The Plunge and Slide are open today with 2 hour sessions starting at 10am for some thrilling tubing. Come out today for Glass & Powder’s Slopestyle event.

CATALOOCHEE SKI AREA – They made snow and should be in GREAT shape for the Cat Crew and second day SKINC Summit attendees.  Cataloochee will only be open for DAY SKIING only today. Cataloochee has 100% of the mountain open and the weather should be perfect for today. Cat has a Spring Fling scheduled for next weekend (Sunday) and we will write more about that tomorrow.

HAWKSNEST SKI RESORT – The Hawk crew made snow last night and as of this report are still blasting the slopes with manmade powder!  Hawksnest will be in primo shape today on 11 slopes and trails including TOP GUN and they also have their popular tubing hill running! They also want you guys to know about the Extreme Ski & Snowboard Competition on Saturday, March 4th. Skier & Boardercross and Slopestyle events are scheduled.  More about that tomorrow!

SKI BEECH – Beech made snow and they are open today with all but the Oz Run available.  Conditions were really good yesterday, particularly on White Lightning.  With the quick freeze and snowmaking last night expect even better condition today.  Beech has been playing peek-a-boo with The Oz Run and it was closed all week, open yesterday although the SSAA website said it was closed and now they have it closed again today. They had plenty of snow on it so it must be a lift or manpower issue. While Oz is a gentle glide trail, it serves to disperse crowds well and hold lift lines to a minimal.

The weather should be great for today and conditions even better than yesterday no matter where you go. It should be a good two or three days of skiing and then look for more Spring Skiing Conditions as temps mild-up Tuesday through Friday.

Until Next Time!

Be sure to email photos, snow reports and comments to: [email protected]