We have SO much to share with you guys today that we’re just going to give you what you need to know for today and then we’ll post numerous updates all day. Some pertain to the SkiNC / Ski Beech Summit for Saturday, some of the news is to announce several contests, and we also want to share meteorologists Matthew East and Brad Panovich’s weekend skier’s forecasts. We have all of that to share with you today, so first let’s get to the top news that we need to share early.
That is…
The conditions will be GREAT no matter which resort you choose to head to today! All of the ski areas made snow and several still are. Check the SLOPE CONDITIONS page for details of such. All of the resorts saw a dusting of snow on Thursday but the 2-4" was a bust. The sun came in and out all day yesterday and while snow fell – creating a gorgeous bit of après-ski ambience – it wasn’t what we were expecting. I won’t steal Brad and Matthew’s thunder but a quick summary is that the ski areas of North Carolina will be enjoying lots of sun and some snow flurries throughout the weekend. Saturday’s SkiNC / Ski Beech Summit should be blessed with great weather with highs in the teens early, 20s and into the 30s mid morning – and peak into the low 40s later in the day. Snow will fall later in the evening. Sunday looks awesome with early snow flurries and highs in the 20s and lows in the low teens.
Our ski areas are experiencing really SWEET conditions right now and we can tell you that Appalachian, Cataloochee and Sugar Mountain are all 100% open with everything in awesome condition to ride. Ski Beech is open with all of the front side of the mountain open, with the exception of Upper Southern Star and we’re thinking that we might see that slope open for the weekend. Wolf Ridge is open with 11 of 20 trails and very nice conditions as well. All of the tubing hills are operating – terrain parks are setup and ready to hit…so this will be a stellar weekend for skiers and snowboarders.
STAYING POSITIVE…
I want to keep the tone of today positive as it should be because we have some sweet conditions going on out there, but I have to report that we are going to cease reporting on a few "ski areas" across the region. Sapphire Valley just doesn’t care to even update their own reports or tell the hoped-for guests what the heck is happening over there. After watching them only update their own website 4 times this entire season, and after seeing that their last web update was on February 13th – seven days ago, and after calling the "SNOW REPORT PHONE LINE" only to hear, "We’re open on Mondays from … and Friday’s from…." There was no mention of how many slopes were open, tubing, snowmaking, temperature, nothing. Since they don’t care, we’re ceasing reporting on them. When and if they ever decide to operate as a ski area again, we’ll begin sharing that news. So unless that happens, today is the last time we’ll report on Sapphire.
Ditto a resort in Virginia…so check www.SkiSoutheast.com for that information and of course all that is happening around the rest of the region. Do check back nearly hourly today for lots of news and happenings.
THANKS BRAD MORETZ…
I had a nice conversation with Appalachian Ski Mountain’s Brad Moretz yesterday and it was related to the paragraph above as we were discussing LOST SKI AREAS. He made some great suggestions and we’ll be moving forward on those early next week. He was telling us about several ski areas – some in North Carolina – that have long since closed down ski ops. At one point North Carolina had several ski areas and even as late as a season ago we lost another one (Hawksnest) and now the state only claims six ski areas, although only five are operating as such. We’ll be covering some information on those lost ski areas for those interested in that kind of thing.
If you’ve been waiting for those contests to post and more Summit updates, they’re headed your way! Check back shortly!
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