Hello Everyone –
Now this is what I am talking about, some very nice cold temperatures and plenty of natural snow from North Carolina to Maryland. That is exactly what every Mountain Manager in the region has been waiting for recently. Now we can get down to business and don’t look now but there is more natural snow headed the region’s way around Christmas.
What this also means is that if you are planning to do any skiing or snowboarding the next few days I recommend making sure you have your goggles with you because every available snow gun will be working and so there is a very good chance you are going to have snow in the face while you are on the slopes. Everyone needs to realize that this is the busiest time of the year for the resorts and they need to have every slope open that they can. With the temperatures the way they are and the snowmaking firepower available in the region, additional terrain will be opening as soon as possible, probably something new every day.
Now let’s turn our attention to recent snow reports and some comments moving through Social Media outlets. I read Mike Doble’s morning report Sunday morning and he reported that trail bases at some resorts had climbed 20 inches overnight. Now that’s a pretty good trick and if it really did occur, that’s awesome, but everyone knows that’s a stretch. It kind of reminds me of when gas stations raise the price of gas 20 cents overnight, right around holiday travel time when plenty of travelers are on the road. Please refer to my earlier comment that it’s the busiest time of the year for the region’s resorts. The slopes are in the best shape they can be in with what Mother Nature has been handing the resorts and every skier and snowboarder should realize that but, unfortunately most don’t. I saw a post on Facebook today about limited terrain being available (from a person in the media none the less), shouldn’t they or just about anyone that hasn’t been under a rock know that the recent weather has created challenges for just about every resort in the region.
What most people don’t realize is that this is when the region’s snow makers shine like no others in the country. The temperatures that are in the forecast are perfect for snowmaking, which will allow additional terrain to open. The pictures that I am seeing from all of the resorts on the various live cams provided by skisoutheast.com are proof that everything is headed in the right direction and folks getting to the resorts this week will see conditions improve every day. Everyone just needs to be a little patient because everything is going to be just fine.
Now as we prepare for Christmas morning, here is hoping that everyone has been good this past year and Santa provides you something nice to do some sliding with at the resort of your choice in the Southeast region. Merry Christmas everyone.
That’s it for this week, more to come as the season continues, just remember whether it be cold or whether it be hot, we’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather will be. Think about it! See you on the slopes and enjoy the holidays, you deserve it!
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Joe Stevens, a member of the southeast ski industry since 1990 is a regular columnist for skisoutheast.com and serves as the Communications Director for the West Virginia Ski Areas Association