Hopefully you guys will forgive me about not providing any front page news on Tuesday (we did update the slope report) but I was busy switching over to a new computer system and SOMEHOW I deleted ALL of my INBOX emails and spent all day trying to get them back. That effort failed so if there’s any gurus out there that can tell me how…I’ll pay!
On to the news (with less crying!)…
Appalachian and Snowshoe Mountain join Sugar Mountain and Cataloochee as the resorts now open and operating for the season. App and Snowshoe both drop their ropes for the first time this season on Wednesday morning. We are hoping to get some great images from you guys…so send away!
Drew Stanley at Appalachian wrote, "Opening Day at Appalachian Ski Mtn. will be Wednesday, November 21. Come join us for free ski tickets from 9am – 4pm! In keeping with tradition, night skiing is expected to begin Friday, December 7th. We will be skiing on 2 slopes, Lower Big Appal and Appaltizer. This year makes 10 out of the last 13 years that Appalachian has been open during the week prior to Thanksgiving. We have made lots of snow on Upper Big Appal, and expect that it will be open after one more night of snowmaking. With good snowmaking weather forecast for Thursday night, we hope to have additional terrain open by Friday or Saturday. "
He added. "Park features will be setup in several areas from our opening day on. Ice skating should open Saturday, November 24 on a regular schedule with sessions beginning at 12 noon, 2:30, and 7pm. Our restaurant will be offering a traditional homemade Thanksgiving lunch complete with roast turkey & dressing, sweet potato souffle, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. The Alpine Ski Shop and Appalachian Gift Shop are now open for all your Christmas and skiing needs on a regular schedule with the ski area hours from 8-4:30. Gift certificates are also available online or at the Appalachian Ski Mtn. Main Office. "
Note: We have a GREAT contest already setup, compliments of Appalachian and Wits End Vacation Rentals of Blowing Rock. This house may be the nicest vacation rental in Blowing Rock. Go to the contest page to enter!
Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia pulls the trigger to become the first ski area to open in WV.
Laura Parquette, one of my new best friends and Communications Manager at Snowshoe Mountain shared this press release to us:
SNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN DROPS THE ROPE ON ITS 34TH WINTER SEASON
Opening Day for the region’s largest winter resort is November 21st.
Snowshoe, W.V.-The countdown is over, and Snowshoe Mountain will host its 34th annual rope drop tomorrow morning at 9a.m., signaling the start of another wild and wonderful ski season. Seven trails and three lifts, as well as four terrain garden features are expected to be open tomorrow morning in the main Snowshoe basin area. Complete snow report and slope conditions can be found beginning at 7a.m. at http://www.snowshoemtn.com/mountain/win-mountain/snowreport.htm .
Over a foot of snow covers the slopes at Snowshoe, and conditions were enhanced by the 6” of natural snow that fell on the mountain late last week. With a season total of 10” of natural snow, the resort is well ahead of its snowfall this time last year. Cold temperatures had the snowmaking crew at Snowshoe busy early and often leading up to Opening Day. Crews turned on the guns for the first time on November 2nd, and have made snow on almost 30 acres of skiable terrain, allowing a tremendous base to coat the slopes. Mother Nature is expected to once again cooperate Thursday evening, as temperatures are projected to drop below the freezing mark. Mountain operations hopes to make snow for up to 60 hours between Thanksgiving night and the beginning of next week.
Tomorrow morning will include the annual rope drop ceremony atop Heisler Way. Skiers and snowboarders will anxiously await the moment when the rope is removed and they can make their first turns of the season. The Skiing Turkey will also make his annual appearance, bringing a little holiday flare to a great day on the slopes. The Village at Snowshoe has been decorated for the season and will be bustling with energy. There are plenty of family activities planned throughout the weekend, including the first annual Turkey Olympics on Thursday, followed by the tree lighting in the Village Plaza and Santa’s arrival on Friday.
For more information on Snowshoe’s 34th winter season, please visit http://www.snowshotmtn.com .
Send your photos and comments to: [email protected],