Hello Everyone –
It sure didn’t take long for the “Doubting Thomases” to make their presence known this year after the majority of the resorts in the region sustained the first significant rainfall this season. I actually had someone ask me on the street outside my office in Charleston, West Virginia on Thursday of last week if there was going to be any snow left at the resorts, as it was raining buckets. My goodness gracious there is snow on some mountains right now, especially in West Virginia, that will be there when they close in April.
This is so typical; the first ones to complain about conditions are usually the ones who wouldn’t know powder conditions even if they were standing in snow that was up to their wiggleys. I am here to tell you, pick a resort, any resort and you will experience some of the finest early season conditions that this snow industry veteran can remember. Just wave to those doubters as you pass them by on your way to your favorite resort.
If you have checked recently on the snow reports found on websites other than this one, you would know that the best skiing in the country right now can be found in the Allegheny Mountains. Sorry Colorado, California, Vermont and Maine, but facts are facts – more natural snowfall so far this year and let’s not even think about comparing snowmaking capacity. The only reason you haven’t found good conditions this season is because you haven’t been to any resort in the region.
Getting back to the “Doubting Thomases” they need to just be quiet and realize this is an argument you will not and can not win The only winners are the folks smart enough to take advantage of the awesome early season conditions and make some turns. The only true complaint that I will accept right now is that someone is too busy to head to a mountain because they have to go out and Christmas shop.
That’s it for this week, more to come as the season continues, just remember whether it be cold or whether it be hot, we’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather will be. Think about it! See you on the slopes.
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Joe Stevens, a member of the southeast ski industry since 1990 is a regular columnist for skisoutheast.com and serves as the Communications Director for the West Virginia Ski Areas Association.