Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! The weather looks great for a near perfect day of skiing and riding today. We have had a bunch of emails asking about SPECIFIC conditions at each resort and our take on things, so we’ll do a tour of the entire region today, so I am going to dive right in. Check out the SLOPE CONDITIONS page for additional details.
Snowshoe Mountain – They show 17° this morning. The region’s largest ski resort also boasts the most open terrain in the region with 36 trails and what should be a fabulous day of skiing and snowboarding. We heard from Laura Parquette this morning and we were correct in our assumption that she was feeling under the weather. She reported that she was fighting off an annual cold and a bout of Strep as well. Get well quickly Laura, we have some turns to make together soon!
She reports, "Merry Christmas Eve! It’s going to be a beautiful day at Snowshoe. Cold weather returned overnight, and snowmaking restarted. Snowmaking is occurring across the basin side, at Silver Creek and on Cupp Run, our 1.5 mile, 1,500′ vertical signature slope in the Western Territory. Cupp is expected to open after the New Year. Snowshoe continues to have the most open terrain in the region, with 36 slopes open today–that’s nearly 60% of the mountain. With cold temperatures expected for the next few days, more slopes may open throughout the week. Today is expected to be the perfect day to enjoy our 124 acres of skiable terrain, with sunshine forecasted throughout the day. The holidays are already in full swing at Snowshoe, and there’s so much to do."
Timberline Resort – It was 20° at 8am this morning when Tom Kotarsky sent his morning report and they are making snow and lots of it. They have 5 trails open today, including Upper white Lightning. Jessica Scowcroft reports, "Happy Holiday……We are making snow…..and trying to get Salamander open!"
FYI, Salamander is the South’s longest ski trail at two miles. I have spoken with numerous ski area operators who all agree that it’s one of the most popular trails to ski in the Southeast and Mid Atlantic. Check it out this season.
Winterplace is reporting 25° and they wrote, "We are Open to the top of the Mountain! Something for everyone from beginner to expert! Our Snowmakers are burying the slopes with tons and tons of fresh snow! So head on up for some awesome Skiing and Riding! The Snowtubing Park is OPEN!"
Winterplace added three more open trails to their offering today. They offer 13 trails with great conditions for today.
Canaan Valley is reporting 24° and windy conditions overnight and this morning but the winds should diminish and they made snow and will as long as temps allow. They have 5 trails open today for day skiing only.
Wisp Resort in Maryland is at 27° this morning. They have been a bit quiet lately (hey Lori, you reading this? Get us some news and photos!) but it looks pretty nice via their live cams this morning. Wisp made some snow and offers 20 trails for your pleasure today.
The Virginia resorts are seeing a wide variety of conditions as Wintergreen Resort is reporting 24° and 6 trails open for day and night skiing. They write, "24 DEGREES AT 7AM MEANS WE ARE MAKING LOTS OF GREAT SNOW! Eagles Swoop, the Lower Crosstrail, Potato Patch, Discovery Ridge and Dobie are all open. The Plunge will be closed today and tomorrow for snowmaking. The plunge will re-open on December 26th. For those guests that want to tube, the slide will be open today and tomorrow."
They also reported that they will continue to make snow on the trails that they have open but plan to move some of our snowmaking capacity to the Highlands and the Terrain Park very soon. Weather permitting, they anticipate having these areas open soon.
Bryce Resort – They look pretty decent this morning although they are not making snow, nor did they last night. The temp this morning is 37°. They will make snow as soon as possible, but they are playing on 5 trails today and soft snow conditions.
Massanutten is reporting 39° this morning and they are hurting with narrow, thin coverage and 2 trails open for day skiing today. Looks like they should make snow tonight.
Kathy Doyle over at Ober Gatlinburg wrote this morning, "It is 27 Degrees and we made approx. 5-6" Snow! Monday Session will be 9am – 4pm with $43 Lift Ticket. Upper half of Bear Run open. Happy Holidays!"
NC SKI MOUNTAIN UPDATE…
Appalalachian – It’s 24° and App is BLASTING a cloud of snowmaking this morning and made snow overnight. They have 5 trails open today and this evening for what should be some great conditions.
Cataloochee – It was 21° this morning. Cat made snow all night last night and will as long as temps allow. They are open for day skiing only today with 7 trails and the tubing hill.
Hawksnest – They show 23°. They are making snow this morning and have 3 trails open and their tubing hill. Justin Grimes writes, "Did you know that Santa Claus is a skier? He was seen sledding and skiing all over the Hawksnest slopes yesterday. He promised to visit us all tomorrow night."
Ski Beech – Reported 20° this morning and they made snow all night and will as long as temps allow. Ski Beech will be open for DAY SKIING ONLY today til 4:30pm with 4 trails and they have a nice tradition that they do each Christmas Eve and if you are up there, check it out. Gil Adams writes, "There will be a Christmas Eve service at 4:30 beside our outdoor ice rink in the Beech tree Village. Merry Christmas!"
Beech will reopen on Christmas Day at Noon…so be aware that they will not be open Christmas morning.
Beech will still have a few thin coverage areas today, but the snowmaking that is going on now, combined with some grooming will make for nice ski conditions.
Sugar Mountain – The low was 16° up there this morning and they have been making snow from the moment the temps allowed. Our old buddy Patrick Kidda was riding up there yesterday and said that there was a lot of bare areas particularly at unloading areas. Expect a few thin coverage areas there today, but as with Beech, the snowmaking and snow grooming will remedy that. Expect good conditions at Sugar today with the most open terrain in the region today and for night skiing tonight as well. 8 trails today.
Wolf Ridge made snow last night and still is as of this report. They will have 5 trails open today and they are reporting some thin coverage…but again, that will go away with snowmaking and grooming later today.
Sapphire Valley – We have no report available from Sapphire.
COLD WEEK AHEAD…then what?
Meteorologist Matthew East of carolina News 14 sent us his latest skier’s forecast for the week ahead and it takes us into the weekend as well. You can check that video by clicking here > Southeast and Mid Atlantic Ski Resort Forecast < however in summary it looks like a great Monday through Thursday of skiing with the resorts able to make snow each night. Thursday could bring a little "under developed snow" into the forecast and as things look right now we may see some rain on Friday and Saturday…and into Sunday. So ski often and long for the week and do your partying and shopping later in the week.
THINK COLD, pack your gear and get your rear – UP HERE – and Enjoy your day…
Until Next time…
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