Not quite as cold today when updating the morning snow reports, but there is still a bit of a bite in the air. It is currently 14 degrees at Snowshoe, but feels a lot more like 3. Beech is hovering around 14 this morning and is under a Winter Weather Advisory until Noon today. This is just to remind people that black ice is around. The most important thing is that there will be plenty of blue skies today – a GREAT day to be on the slopes.
Nothing but snow and blue skies at Beech
We’ve been very much concentrating and talking about the weather lately – and with good reason. Here in the North Carolina High Country, we’ve had one of the coldest Januaries since the 1930s, when record keeping began. Our friends over at the High Country Press (hcpress.com) have put together a great article with stats – check it out here. But like I was saying, spending so much time on the weather has resulted in us not covering the upcoming events very well, so I thought I would dedicate this issue of the First Trax to the happenings on the mountains. Now, this is probably not going to be an exhaustive list, but you’ll get the idea.
Let’s start with the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Beech Mountain
Spend Sunday, February 2nd hitting a full day on the slopes and then join Super Bowl festivities at The Beech Tree Bar & Grille. Specials will include $1 PBR’s, shot specials as well as pizza and wing specials for your appetite! Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. with a game of football trivia along with prizes for the team with the best knowledge! Come decked out in your favorite team’s colors for a chance to win a prize for Best Team Outfit.
Massanutten
Mass has a Big Game Party at The Lodge starting at 5pm. Besides catching Denver and Seattle battle it out, we will have our half-time buffet + tons of door prizes! Cover is $8 and kids 4 and under are free!
Snowshoe
You know Snowshoe is going to have a party. Hoot’s Bar and Grille, Connection Nightclub, and Big Top are all having showing the game and having specials.
Hoot’s Bar and Grille
Hoots will be hosting “Happy Hour “pricing all night- ½ price Appetizers during the Super Bowl game. Enjoy the spectacular viewing from (nine) different receivers. (2)- 70”, (4) 50” and (3) additional televisions. Hoots offers Foosball, Pool tables and door prizes throughout the night. Post- game party with DJ Jason and Karaoke will ensure a night of fun, friends and memories.
Connection Nightclub
Hosting “Happy Hour” pricing. Large video projection of the game and pre-party fun. Come and get your seat early for a great night of football/
Big Top – Families welcome
Come one.. come all.. to the best family center for SuperBowl XLVII game viewing. The entire family can watch the game on a 12×14 screen to ensure you don’t miss a single play.
Other events happening today, this weekend, and the upcoming week.
Cataloochee
Join the Cat Crew on Thursday nights for the Cataloochee Adult Challenge Cup Race Series. Individuals race against the clock in a NASTAR race setting for the best of two runs. Top challengers in both men’s and womens’ age divisions win cool stuff. You must be 21 years of age or older to participate. Registration begins at 6 and racing begins at 7pm.
Ober Gatlinburg
2014 Ober Gatlinburg Race Program is today, January 30th.
OG RPM IS AN 8 EVENT OPEN CLASS SKI & SNOWBOARD RACE SERIES HAPPENING EVERY THURSDAY AT 5:30PM STARTING 1/9/14 – 2/27/14!
The best 6 out of 8 count towards the season champions in each division. Happening every Thursday 5:30pm – starting January 9, 2014. The Finals Race on Thursday February 27, 2014 will determine the season champions. Anyone that can ski or ride Mogul Ridge can enter
Divisions:
Ski/Snowboard
Male/Female
12 + under, 13-17, 18-34, 35-54, 55+
Entry Fees:
Complete Series $75 – entries accepted through 4pm Thursday January 23, 2014
or per event fee $12 – entries accepted until 6:30pm on day of each Race
Helmets & signed Waiver are mandatory
Sign up here: https://secure.jotformpro.com/form/33128448649968
Wintergreen
Family Fun Festival, Jan. 31 – Feb. 2nd
Family Fun Festival celebrates families! Join us for events, races and entertainment – all geared for families.
Friday, January 31
9 am-10 pm Skiing & Riding
9 am – 2 pm Women’s Ski & Ride Clinic Meet at the Snowsports School
9:30 pm – 12 am Live Entertainment at The Edge Mercy Creek aggressive folk rock, earthy edgy music
Saturday, February 1
9 am-10 pm Skiing & Riding
9 am – 5:30 pm XM on the Blue Ridge Terrace
1-3 pm NASTAR, ext. 8065 Race against the clock!
4:30-5:30 pm Slopestyle Registration Snowsports School Desk
3-6 pm Apres Ski Firecracker Jam jazz, blues and rockabilly
5:45 pm Slopestyle Riders Meeting Terrain Park (ext. 8065)
6 pm Slopestyle Competition Start It's the second race in the series. Terrain Park (ext. 8065)
9:30 pm – 12 am Live Entertainment at The Edge Mercy Creek aggressive folk rock, earthy edgy music
Sunday, February 2
9 am-9 pm Skiing & Riding
9 am – 5:30 pm Mixing up the Tunes outside the Skyline Rental Shop
1 – 3 pm NASTAR Eagle Swoop (ext. 8065) Race against the clock!
Slopestyle Event 2 0f 5, Feb. 1st
Join us for the Wintergreen Slopestyle, part of the winter terrain park series, consisting of three Rail Jams and two Slopestyles. Open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages; valid lift ticket required and registration fee of $25. Join us for one or all of five of our events. Prizes will be awarded for individual events as well as a grand prize for competitors that compete in three out of five events. Event Time: 6 pm. Register at Snowsports Desk from 4:30-5:30 pm.
Women's Friday Clinics
Women’s Ski & Ride clinics, offered on Fridays from late January through mid-February, are geared for women who want to improve their skiing and riding skills, taught by Wintergreen’s PSIA/AASI female instructors. Sign up for one or all four. The clinics are from 9 am-2 pm. Lunch and instruction is included. Cost: $125 per clinic or $425 for all four. Lift ticket and rental equipment are not included. Call 434-325-8065 for questions and to register.
Winterfest Weekend Feb 7-9th
Join us for a fun filled weekend of activities and events. Come celebrate winter, Wintergreen style. The weekend event highlights include the Women’s Ski & Ride Seminar (Friday), Freestyle Double Cross (Sunday), DJ Mixing it Up, great skiing/riding, live entertainment and more.
Friday, February 7
9am – 10pm: Skiing and Snowboarding
9:30am – 2:30pm: Women’s Ski Seminar Meet at the Snowsports School (ext. 8065)
9:30pm – 12am: Live Entertainment -The Edge (ext. 8080) Fatty Lumpkin and the Lovehogs rockin' blues and classic rock.
Saturday, February 8
9am – 10pm: Skiing and Snowboarding
10am – 4pm: DJ Mixing it Up Outside the Skyline Rental Shop
1-3pm: NASTAR Head to Eagles Swoop and race against the clock
3-6pm: Apres Ski Firecracker Jam jazz, blues and rockabilly
9:30pm- 12am: Live Entertainment – The Edge (ext. 8080) Fatty Lumpkin and the Lovehogs rockin' blues and classic rock
Sunday, February 9
9am – 9pm: Skiing and Snowboarding
9am – 4pm: DJ Mixing it Up Outside the Skyline Rental Shop
8:30 – 10am: Double Cross Registration Register in the Mountain Inn at Freestyle (325-8226)
10:30am: Double Cross Practice Runs – Terrain Park
11:0am: Double Cross Riders Meeting – Top of Course/Park
11:30am: Double Cross Event Start – Terrain Park
Freestyle Double Cross Awards (1-hour Blue Ridge Terrace after the conclusion of event)
1-3 pm NASTAR Head to Eagle Swoop and race against the clock
Snowshoe
US Airbag, Jan. 31 – Feb. 2
Have you seen that MASSIVE INFLATABLE PILLOW at a Fair or Festival?! yep – that's US AIRBAG™
The US AIRBAG™ is that massive inflatable landing device seen on the news at State Fairs and Music Festivals across the country. Dial in that bag of tricks on a soft landing, then take them to the park.
Southern Alpine Racing Association Race Feb. 1-2
Friday, January, 31 Registration
6:00pm – 9:00pm SARA Race Registration
Top of the World (in hallway next to Ski rentals): $35 per race (cash or checks payable to SSTPA)
Saturday, February, 1 Slalom Race
7:00am – 8:30am SARA Race Registration
Top of the World (in hallway next to Ski rentals): $35 per race (cash or checks payable to SSTPA)
8:00am Coaches Meeting for Saturday’s Race – Top of Widowmaker Slope
8:30am – 9:30am Slalom Course Inspection – Widowmaker Run at Soaring Eagle Chairlift
10:00am Slalom Race – Widowmaker Run at Soaring Eagle Chairlift
7:00pm – 9:00pm Slalom Awards Ceremony in the Connection Nightclub
Sunday , February, 2 Giant Slalom Race
7:00am – 8:30am SARA Race Registration – Top of the World (in hallway next to Ski rentals): $35 per race (cash or checks payable to SSTPA)
8:30am – 9:30am Giant Slalom Course Inspection – Widowmaker Run at Soaring Eagle Chairlift
10:00am Giant Slalom Race – Widowmaker Run at Soaring Eagle Chairlift
Cupp Run Challenge Feb. 3
One of Snowshoe's oldest traditions, the Cupp Run Challenge is a giant slalom race for skiers & snowboarders down the legendary Cupp Run, designed by Jean Claude Killy with 1500 vertical feet and over a mile in length.
Sunday, February 2 , 2014
6:30-8pm Cupp Run Registration in The Shavers Centre
Competitors Lift Ticket: $30.00 – Available for Cupp Run Challenge registrants only for 02/3/14 . Lift Ticket Purchase is Required! This is a new competitor ticket rate.
Registration Fee: $30.00 – Required for all Cupp Run Challenge Registrants
$20.00 – WV Residents and Snowshoe Employee’s (must show proof of residency or employment & ID)
Monday, February 3, 2014
7:30am-9am Cupp Run Registration in the Shaver’s Center – see above for prices
9-10am Course Inspection – Cupp Run
10am Races Meeting – Meet at the top of Cupp Run
10:15am Race Starts
I know that’s a lot to throw at you. Take a look at our events pages for more details and links to the event pages.
Take Care!
Tim Bahlke
Drop me an email at [email protected] to let me know what you think or with suggestions on what we could be doing better.