The aftermath of Winter Storm Diego has left the regions ski resorts in a very healthy state. Many of the resorts have capitalized on this storm as a way to:
- Increase Trail Counts – seeing unprecedented slope totals for this time of the year
- Increase Snow Totals – base depths at some resorts near 70 inches (over 5ft.)
- Increase Skier/Rider Visits – don’t have a statistic at the ready, but a visual look at the webcams, shows a “cup full” situation.
- Increase Publicity – we are on the national news folks! What a great way to showcase our region to the rest of the country.
If you go out today, stay safe. The roads are icy as sub-freezing temps are still in effect. Many roadways get above freezing later this afternoon.
More terrain and openings in WNC/Eastern TN . . .
Ober Gatlinburg: Perhaps the biggest news that hit Tennessee today is that Ober announced they are opening today @ noon! Ober will operate between 12pm – 10pm, with skiing/riding on 3 trails (Cub Way, Lower Castle, and Ski School), served by 2 lifts. In addition, there will be “a couple of terrain park features on skier’s right of Castle Run”.
Appalachian Ski Mountain: Wanted to be sure to pass along the details on one of the best deals in the industry . . .
“Any time any school system in NC, TN, SC or VA is out of school due to winter weather, students, teachers and school staff from that school system can purchase an 8-hour Flex ticket for only $10! Simply present a report card, school ID or paystub for teachers & staff to take advantage of this great offer. Our Flex ticket is an 8-hour ticket, and your time starts when you purchase your ticket. This includes Colleges that are out for winter weather as well. (Individual class cancellations do not qualify.) Regular rental rates apply.”
Beech: Hit the two-foot mark yesterday. Beech increased their trail count up to 14 (from 9 yesterday). With the addition of Upper and Lower Robin’s Run, Lower White Lightening, Lower Southern Star, and Crossway, there are sure to be fresh powder stashes to be found. Still reporting powder conditions.
Cataloochee: The Meadow is still open! Packed powder conditions . . . Tammy Brown reported that the snowmakers have been hard at work (overnight), and that nearly all the snow guns turned-off at 9am.
Wolf Ridge: 100% open . . . adding 6 additional trails to increase their count to 15 this morning. Snow Day Special.
Virginia/Southern WV punches back with more trail openings:
Wintergreen: Man, I felt for you guys yesterday morning. I lost power at my house for roughly 18 hours (between Saturday night and Sunday evening), and it is no fun. Today, Wintergreen is back and better than ever with 9 trails open (up from 7 yesterday). I bet you could find some fresh powder pretty easily.
Massanutten: Schools out Special today. More flavorings later this week.
Snowshoe: The little news nugget . . . “Silver Creek opens this Friday, and it will be the most terrain we’ve opened with over there in a long time. Also, watch for the Powderidge lift to start spinning this weekend as well.”
Bryce: Not much change . . . Forecast looks great there today.
What a weekend it will be in Northern West Virginia/Maryland . . .
Now that the (snow) dust has settled, it’s only appropriate to look toward some heavy-hitters that will open later this week.
Canaan Valley: targeted opening Saturday, December 15th. Season Snowfall (to date): 25.8″
Timberline: targeted opening Friday, December 14th. Season Snowfall (to date): 25.8″
Wisp: targeted opening Friday, December 14th. Season Snowfall (to date): 21.7″
With (possibly) a touch more snow in the forecast at some resorts later this week/weekend, it will be fun to have a mini-round 2!
That will do for today.
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