As I am typing this morning update, it’s been lightly raining all morning here in the High Country’s mountains of North Carolina. Our elevation ranges of 3000-5500’ are all seeing mostly rain, although there has been some reports of light snow mixed in. At 9:15am it is now raining more heavily, so it will be a soggy day across much of Western North Carolina and into Tennessee.
Our Official SkiSoutheast and SkiMidAtlantic.com Meteorologist, Marcus Lynch reported the following forecast:
For WISP, TIMBERLINE & CANAAN…. A wintry mix of rain and freezing rain is likely (70%) Sunday morning, with temperatures in the low and middle 30’s. Light snow showers develop Sunday night, with a half inch or less possible as temperatures fall into the middle 20’s. A 40% chance snow lingering into Monday and Tuesday, with highs in the low and middle 30’s.
SNOWSHOE…. For Sunday a mix of sleet and freezing rain is likely (100%) with highs in the lower 30’s. A 60% chance of freezing rain and snow through Sunday night with lows in the middle 20’s. A white start to the week with a 50% chance of snow Monday and Tuesday with highs in the upper 20’s.
WINTERGREEN…. A wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet on Sunday (100%) with a high around 32 degrees. More freezing rain (80%) for Sunday night with a low in the upper 20’s. Clouds are on the decrease Monday with highs in the middle 40’s. More sunshine for Tuesday with highs in the middle 40’s.
OBER GATLINBURG… Occasional rain is likely for Sunday, with a possible thunderstorm in the mix as well. Highs will warm into the middle 50’s with gusty winds at times as high as 45 mph. Lingering showers for Sunday evening with overnight lows around 30 degrees. Other than an isolated rain or snow shower on Monday, skies will become partly cloudy with highs in the upper 40’s. More sunshine for Tuesday with highs in the upper 40’s.
HERE’S THE OUTLOOK FOR THE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS….
A wet Sunday with possible thunderstorms and highs in the upper 40’s. As temperatures cool down into the upper 20’s Sunday night, a rain/snow mix may linger into early Monday. Skies will be mostly cloudy on Monday with more sunshine Tuesday, and highs in the low 40’s.
My man, Meteorologist Marcus Lynch has been providing accurate daily updates on this website all season and we have really appreciated his dedicated, daily update. We’re not ecstatic over today’s forecast, but into every life a bit of rain must fall.
As I was compiling the data from (19) snow sports areas this morning I found a wide range of what’s happening across the Southeast and Mid Atlantic.
The Virginia based resorts have had little in the way of snow to crow about this season, but they appear to be the big winners from the last 24 hours as Bryce Resort has seen 4-6” of snow and Massabutten Resort is reporting 4” in the last 24 hours. (They are seeing light snow as of this report, with a wintry mix in the forecast.)
Since we’re on the Virginia resorts, I’ll go ahead and mention that it’s 30° at Wintergreen this morning and snowing. They have not gotten any accumulations as yet. Olympian Jonny Moseley will be there all day today, skiing on the latest HEAD equipment and pulling some tricks in their terrain park. He will be signing posters and meeting guests as well.
We’ll jump around today and get on up to the West Virginia Mountains. Someone over on the Southeastern Ski Areas Association website reported that Canaan Valley received 12” of snow. OOPS! We’re still a month away from April 1st so that is just a typo. We spoke with them and they do have a wet mix of “slush” (about 3” worth) and as of 8am it was dropping more of the same.
Lindsay Kutsko of Snowshoe Mountain wrote, “We had a heavy snow overnight, accumulating 4 inches and it’s continuing to fall. The forecast is calling for freezing rain later this morning, so get out there early to enjoy the fresh powder on the slopes! Be aware that due to high winds the Western Express Lift will be closed this morning, which will close the four trails on the Western Territory. All open trails were groomed overnight. Snowshoe Mountain has 39 Good Days of Spring Skiing beginning March 1 and continuing through April 8. That’s Easter weekend and one more holiday to ski and ride! Our first big spring blow-out is coming up with Spring Break just a week away and the conditions are awesome.”
Heather, up at Timberline Resort told us that they had received 2-3” of snow and that they were now also seeing a mix of rain, snow and ice as of 8:30am.
Wisp at Deep Creek Resort also received 2” of new snow.
Down in the Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (home to Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area) they are at 54° with strong, gusty winds, according to Kathy Doyle. Slope sessions on Sunday is from 9am – 7pm with $43 Lift Ticket. Grizzly closes at dusk. Ice skating and other activities open daily.
Here in our gorgeous Western North Carolina Mountains it will be a wet Sunday according to Marcus. Here’s his assessment, “It will be a wet Sunday with possible thunderstorms and highs in the upper 40’s. As temperatures cool down into the upper 20’s Sunday night, a rain/snow mix may linger into early Monday. Skies will be mostly cloudy on Monday with more sunshine Tuesday and highs in the low 40’s.
Tim Bryant of Wolf Ridge dropped me a line late last night to let me know that Boone, NC’s own, Ross Rowen (pictured) captured 1st place during their 2nd Slopeside Comp on Saturday. He wrote, “Ross Rowen, of Boone NC took home the top cash prize of $500 by winning Wolf Ridge Ski Resort’s second slope competition of the year. There were 26 riders and 3 skiers from Appalachian, Cataloochee, Hawksnest, Mountain Creek and Wolf Ridge. The park crew completely reworked Park Place Terrain Park on the new Boardwalk Slope for today’s competition. Special thanks to Breakaway, Scenic Wolf, Flipside Skate Shop, Ski Country Sports, Zero Gravity Skate Park, Disciple Gloves for the cash prizes and swag!”
Tim added, “Mike – the competition went great – perfect weather, great conditions and some kids willing to give it their all for the prize. The park was in great shape and the new layout worked well.”
We’ll look for some more photos from Tim soon and we’ll post those as we get them.
The Rain May Dampen Your Ski Gear, But Heck Check Out the Events Planned for Sunday:
Cataloochee Ski Area will host the very first HotMonoski Demo Day – Thierry Tailhardat and company with HotMonoski are committed to bringing the new sliding sensation, monoskiing to the southeast and he will be here on Sunday, February 25 from 10am-4:30pm with a variety of Duret monoski products to demo. (That thing looks a lot like what Jasen Vioral of SkiNC has been doing for years. The only difference is that Jasen’s bindings aren’t side by side! Those things will allow you to get p-r-e-t-t-y low to the ground.)
Hawksnest Ski Resort – They are hosting the first annual High Country King of the Hill competition . Snowboarders and skiers will compete for cash prizes down Sock Em Dog on a course designed by Richard Rominger. Registration is from 9-11am. Race starts at noon. The entry fee is $20. Discounted lift tickets are available for $30. Awards ceremony will follow at 4:30pm in the Nest Lounge. Come join us for the celebration. Music will be provided by Break Bread.
Over at Sapphire Valley they will be holding some races of a more unique nature. They host the FIRST ANNUAL "LATRINES for TEENS” OUTHOUSE RACE at Sapphire Valley Ski area. Race your outhouse complete with toilet bowl to victory!! Sunday, February 25 starting with a parade of all outhouse entries at Noon. Call 828.508.2688 for entry and info.
Sugar Mountain will be celebrating a wet Sugar Bear Birthday Bash. They will host The Great Bear Race at 11:45am. Star the Clown will be there 12:15pm. Enjoy Cake & Ice Cream at 12:45pm and NASTAR will be at 1:00pm.
WHITEWATER FANS WILL WANT TO MAKE NOTE!!!
We have several whitewater enthusiasts among our regular visitors. Mark McKelvy and Dave McConnell come to mind first as I know Mark dropped by my office a week or so ago one day after spending the entire day rafting. A lot of us snow enthusiasts are really OUTDOOR enthusiasts all year long and we want to make you aware of the new Adventure Sports Center that will be opening in the Spring up in Garrett County, Maryland. They will provide a truly amazing, artificial whitewater course, rock climbing and more.
We are aware of the course in Charlotte and that is great as well, but you’ll want to check this one out because it is not only the world’s ONLY mountaintop whitewater course, it is to be the home of the International Whitewater Hall of Fame. Check out the video on the front of www.SkiSoutheast.com and CLICK HERE FOR THE FEATURE STORY.
Until Next Time…
THINK COLD AND SNOW!!!
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For more information about the ski resorts of the Southeast and Mid Atlantic visit www.SkiSoutheast.com
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