Welcome to the first full week of 2015! If you’re like me, this is your first time back at work in a while. I’ve been lucky enough to have the past almost 2 weeks off for the holidays. Conditions have been up and down over the break, but the week ahead looks PROMISING, that is if you like frigid temperatures.
The first real big cold snap of winter is upon us. We deserve this. It’s been a very slow season up to this point. That’s going to change pretty quickly this week as Wednesday through Saturday will see around the clock snowmaking for many ski areas. As one of the weather forecast outlets put it, “Snowmaking on the ski slopes will be limited only by how much water is available.” Base depths and open trail counts should shoot up this week and by the weekend we’ll be looking at conditions that are VASTLY improved.
The first of three cold surges has pushed through and temperatures this morning are a good 25-35 degrees colder than they were just 24 hours ago. You can see the entire Southeast, and the eastern US for that matter, is much colder this morning in the image below.
I don’t think I can really convey just how cold it is going to be this week in the mountains. So, take a look at the NWS forecast for Snowshoe and see for yourself.
Yeah, that’s pretty chilly to say the least. Snowshoe won’t see the freezing mark until Sunday at the earliest. Wowza. Make sure to bundle up if you are out on the slopes this week. Those temps, wind chills, and snowmaking will make for a miserable time if you’re not layered properly.
Peak Season Crowds
Someone posted a good question on our Facebook page and I figured I’d address it on here.
Now that we’re past the New Year’s holiday, we are in the peak season timeframe for the ski areas. As such, the crowds are going to be noticeably bigger, especially with the great conditions in the upcoming week. There will undoubtedly be lift lines to wait in, but as long as you go into your trip knowing what to expect, you’ll have a good time. My suggestion, get first chair and lap for the first two hours. Once the crowds show up head to the bar. Ha!
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
If you didn’t know, January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Joe Stevens posted a great article this week talking about it. If you haven’t read it yet, make sure to do so by clicking the link below.
https://www.skisoutheast.com/extend-helping-hand/
Until tomorrow…