“Better than Spring” Conditions at Southeast and Mid Atlantic Ski Resorts

First Trax

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Matthew East has posted his latest Skier’s Forecast for the Mid Atlantic and Southeast Ski Resorts and the quick summary is that we should see some snowmaking opportunities tonight and maybe Saturday night. There is a good chance of some light rain this weekend, and possibly some light snow behind that.

You can view his latest weather summary video by clicking here

That forecast means that Spring Skiing will be at a premium at least today through Thursday and into Friday. Monday was a sweet day to be out on the slopes and well.

Joe Stevens also posted his "Joe Knows Snow" update yesterday and within it HE spoke about how good conditions are at our resorts and also warned fans that we should not pay attention to forecasts that are outside of the realm of ACTUAL forecasting and what he meant by that is the fact that long range forecasts (ten days and beyond) are actually relating historical averages and not an actual forecast based on fronts, air streams, etc that may be off in the distance.

A few of our forecasters have actually shared the fact that behind this coming weekend’s backside, light snow event is some dry and warmer air early next week (6 days out) and then they are forecasting another cold front that looks to be arriving the middle of next week (9 days out), so keep thinking COLD and SNOW and maybe we can extend these really nice conditions that we are seeing at the resorts right now.

NO LINES, GOOD CONDITIONS

We are already getting a few emails asking, "Will ‘xyz resort’ be open on ‘xyz weekend’?" The answer to that is based MORE on you guys than you may think. We have already posted the intended closing dates for all of the ski resorts that have released that information. So check the SLOPE CONDITIONS page for that information. However, what experienced fans of the Southeast and Mid Atlantic ski resorts already know (and what the rest of you should learn) is that almost all of the ski areas close up NOT because of a lack of snow, but due to a lack of skier visits.

When the math doesn’t add up to pay for the operating expenses and employees, then they close. It is really that simple. Most of the ski areas have announced specific closing dates and some are March 23rd, some March 30th. However, some resorts such as Hawksnest will ski as long as they can offer decent conditions AND AS LONG AS PEOPLE ARE COMING TO THE MOUNTAIN. There’s plenty of good conditions out there right now and no lift lines, and temperatures that make riding the snow about as good as it gets. So get out and make a few turns before the "math" forces your resort to end their season.

HERE’S A QUICK TOUR

WISP RESORT – They are reporting 32° and some light snow this morning with 28 trails, snow tubing, terrain parks and great conditions.

WEST VIRGINIA REPORT:

Canaan Valley is showing 27° and 16 trails open with Frozen Granular conditions after another 2" of snow fell in the last 24 hours. They have had 147.1" of snow this season and 8.5" in the last few days. Conditions will be great up there today!

<Dave McConnell rips up some sweet powder at Snowshoe on Sunday!

Snowshoe Mountain – These guys just keep on "keeping on" and they made snow overnight, received another 1/2 inch of snow and if that one-half inch was anything like the 2-3" that they reported Saturday night…then conditions on their 58 open trails and terrain parks will be awesome. Snowshoe under-reported the heck out this past weekend’s snow as most of our Summit attendees reported 5-6" as a more accurate tally and that snow, combined with awesome snowmaking to create 1-2 FEET of powder conditions on the South side of the mountain. It was AMAZING!

Timberline Resort had not posted an updated report as yet this morning but should be in great condition with the same 2" of snow that Canaan received. They should have 27 trails open today.

Winterplace Resort reports 29° this morning but their base is good enough that they did not have to make snow. They are 100% open with 28 trails, terrain park and snow tubing.

VIRGINIA REPORT:

Bryce Resort is open today through Friday from 10am til 3pm (kind of a different session than most) and this weekend from 9am til 4:30pm. They have 6 trails open with granular conditions.

Massanutten Resort is reporting 30° this morning but no snowmaking. They have 11 trails open as well as both terrain parks and snow tubing.

Wintergreen has not updated their report as of 9am, but look to be open with 15 trails for today.

NORTH CAROLINA REPORT:

<App looks great this AM

Appalachian Ski Mountain had a low of 31° last night but just missed the chance to make snow. They look GREAT this morning with 100% of their terrain open for day and night skiing. Both terrain parks are open and look GREAT as well. I may head there tonight!

Cataloochee had a low of 26° and reports that they made snow. They have 50% of their terrain open (7 trails) and they have some very nice looking, groomed conditions this morning. (We hope we can get these guys to get a better webcam before next season!) 

Sugar’s Big Red Slope looks particularly nice this morning!>

Sugar Mountain did not report any snowmaking although temps looked like they dropped low enough to crank them. Sugar’s reporting a low last night of 28°. They have 17 trails open with what looks like darn nice conditions via all of the cams pointed at them. The top of Big Red looks particularly nice! They report that their terrain park is closed. Ice Skating is closed today as well.

Ski Beech looks better this morning than they did a few times earlier in the season yet they are closed. We had some Ski Beech employees who attended the 1st Annual SkiSoutheast.com Summit this past weekend and they each expressed disappointment over the early closing. They also shared some concerns over the management team and we may share those in some closing statements when we wrap up the season at the end of the month.

THE RESORTS THAT ARE CLOSED…

Some people have emailed us rather than checking the SLOPE CONDITIONS about which resorts have already closed for the season. So…we posted those below:

Sapphire Valley in North Carolina

Ski Beech in North Carolina

Wolf Ridge in North Carolina

Ober Gatlinburg in Tennessee

Until Next time…

Be sure to visit www.SkiSoutheast.com  for more news from the rest of the Southeast and Mid Atlantic ski areas!

Send your snow photos, videos, comments or emails to: [email protected]

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Dana J Bolden sent this nice photo (though a bit bright!) from Cataloochee Ski Area on Sunday, March 9th!
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