Friday Friday Friday! It’s almost the end of another work week and the beginning of another beautiful day outside. Yesterday was amazing as we saw the warmest temperatures of the year, with highs in the 60’s up here in Boone. Today is going to be even nicer with temperature readings hitting 70! I decided to break out the sandals for the first time of the year today. My girlfriend said that down where she is at in Charlotte they are going to see highs of 80 degrees today. Spring fever has definitely arrived for some folks.
It looks like it’s going to cool off some for the weekend. Saturday night into Sunday holds the chance of a little bit of underdeveloped snow. It is definitely not going to be the downpours we’ve seen in recent weeks though. Snow coverage is still really good at the open resorts and if skiing or riding some corn is your thing, then you’re in luck this weekend!
I myself am actually headed back to Charlotte for the weekend. I haven’t taken an entire weekend off since early December. I’ve been all over the place since then finishing up college, starting to work here, snowboarding, and taking trips to Virginia, Seattle, Salt Lake, and West Virginia. It’s been a very hectic winter and needless to say, I am ready for a full weekend of some rest and relaxation.
That said, I decided to go to App last night as I wouldn’t be able to get back out there until next week. It was also my 30th day on snow for the year, a new personal best for me! I think next year I’m aiming for 40. I know Kevin (jamsandwich) commented last night that he was close to 70 days now. That is CRAZY. I guess when you have a gold card and live up here it’s not that hard for the days to add up quickly.
Anyways, it was really weird to be standing in the parking lot at App in 60 degree weather about to go snowboarding. My season seems to always end that way the last few years. The snow was equivalent to mashed potatoes but that was ex
pected. They still have a ton of snow on the mountain and they will easily make it to their closing date next weekend, not that I ever thought they wouldn’t. The parks were in really good shape and there was still a pretty decent amount of people out there for a mid March night. Overall, it was an awesome time. There isn’t anything better than a pow day, but I also do love spring riding.
<<<The aforementioned mashed potatoes
All of the open resorts should be in good shape for the weekend. We have a couple more closings this weekend, so get out on the slopes while you still can! That’s all for this morning. Enjoy the weekend! Here’s a look around the region…
Appalachian Ski Mountain – 57°- Open on 11 of 12 trails today with a groomed surface. AppalJam is closed and I’m guessing that they are rebuilding that park today just in time for the weekend. Their late season rates are now in effect and will remain so until they close next weekend. Tonight, they will be hosting the final Ladies Park Night and tomorrow is the final Shred for the Cup events of the season. Ice skating is open and will conclude for the season on Sunday.
Sugar Mountain – 53.1°- Open today on 17 of 20 trails with a loose granular surface. Little Neil, the Magic Carpet Area, and the Ski School Play Yard are the only “trails” not open. March madness rates continue to be in effect, saving you 25% on lift tickets and rentals. They still have night skiing and riding going on as well. Tubing and skating have closed. Sugar hasn’t announced a closing date yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they remain open until next weekend. Just a reminder that they will be having an Easter Egg hunt on the slopes this Sunday.
Snowshoe Mountain – 49°- They are open on 41 of 60 trails today with a groomed surface. Here’s what they have to say – “Happy Friday everyone! We’re looking forward to a great weekend on the mountain. We didn’t see the colder overnight temperatures we’ve become accustom to, even during periods of mild temperatures. That means that we’ll start off the morning with fairly soft, loose granular snow. Because of those mild overnight temps we didn’t groom the Western Territory. But the remainder of our 41 open slopes were groomed overnight and we’ll have some soft corduroy to enjoy this morning. With skier traffic and some daytime sun that snow will remain soft throughout the day and may become choppy during the late afternoon hours.
We’ll see similar conditions throughout the weekend, although Mother Nature is going to cooperate with some cold overnight temps which will help the snow set up and give us some great early conditions. So if you’re joining us on the mountain, you’ll have great conditions to enjoy, and plenty of snow on the slopes, but you may want to be an early riser and join us for rope drop at 9am daily for the best conditions of the day! That leaves your afternoon to enjoy some of our other great resort amenities including the Big Top entertainment center, Split Rock Pools, our adventure activities like guided snowmobile tours and more! While there’s plenty to do off the slopes, Snowshoe continues to offer the region’s most open terrain and some fabulous last season conditions. With value season pricing in place for the weekend, grab that sun block, put one last wax on your skis or board and head for the snow!
If you can’t make it this weekend, don’t forget, beginning Monday, everyone can SKI FREE! That’s right, purchase any lodging stay between March 21st and 27th and your lift tickets are absolutely FREE! Can’t get away for an overnight stay? No worries! We want you to help us celebrate the great season we’ve had at Snowshoe, so we’re offering $26 lift tickets for anyone who just wants to come up and ski or ride for the day. Additional resort discounts will include lodging starting at just $125 a night (that’s $32 a person for lodging and lift tickets for you and three friends), up to 50% off at our retail outlets, great savings on rental equipment and Last Hurrah deals for our exciting adventure activities. For complete details check out snowshoemtn.com or call 877-441-4386. Saturday, March 26th we’ll host our annual Last Hurrah celebration, complete with pond skimming contest, great tunes from DJ Judd, a survivors party at Moonshine pub and great prizes. So make plans now to celebrate another great season with us!
Finally, we can’t forget to mention that 2011.2012 season passes are now on sale. As the season winds down it’s time to think ahead. If you purchase your 2011.2012 season pass by April 30th you’ll save up to 28%. Visit snowshoemtn.com or call 877-441-4386 to purchase your passport to Snow Country!”
Wisp Resort – 53°- Open on 28 of 32 trails today with a groomed surface. They will have night skiing this weekend. Ice skating and tubing will both be open from 5-9pm tonight.
Massanutten – 61°- Open today on 9 of 14 trails and a groomed surface. This is the final weekend of skiing and riding for Massanutten as they will close for the season on Sunday. They will be open from 11-7 today, 9-9 tomorrow, and 9-5 on Sunday.
Wintergreen – 54° – Open today on 20 of 28 trails with a groomed surface. They are offering discounted skiing and riding this weekend as lift ticket prices are 30% off regular season rates. Tubing will reopen Saturday. Wintergreen plans on staying open for skiing and riding until next weekend.
Timberline – 55°- Open today on 30 of 39 trails with a granular surface. Just a reminder that the finals of their Rail Jam event series will be taking place on Saturday.
Winterplace – 51°- Open today on 100% of the mountain with a groomed and granular surface. They still have one terrain park open and tubing is going on today as well from 1-5pm. On Sunday they will be having their pond skimming championships at 2pm. Winterplace will close for the season on Sunday.
Send me stuff….[email protected]