Today Marks the End to the 2005-2006 Ski Season and the Beginning of Summer Fun!

Today marks the end of our tenth season of reporting here on SkiNC.com and fourth for SkiSoutheast.com. We’ll post some closing comments on Monday and we may post an update or two as we have some input to share with you guys.  So check back.

Cataloochee closed for the season.  Tammy Brown of Cataloochee wrote us that she and the staff would be taking only a few days off and then they would be getting right to their planned, off-season construction. They plan on starting on April 10^th.  She said that they planned to be ready to make snow on November 1^st (if Mother Nature is ready).  It’s hard to believe that its just seven months away!

Cataloochee operated for 121 days this winter.

Kent Jackson sent us some great images from Cataloochee’s closing day and we’ll post those this morning.  We’re also expecting more from Mark McKelvy and others and we’ll post those as we get them.  Check out the Cataloochee Photos of the Day.

SNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN – Andrea Smith of Snowshoe sent us a cool photo from yesterday’s pond skimming fun.  Snowshoe has 27 trails that are open today and rated PG.  That’s for “partially groomed”. As you’d expect for April 2^nd, they are reporting some thin coverage and bare areas.  There’s ONE MORE DAY of skiing and riding in West Virginia .  For you Golf Fans… The Raven Golf Club opens officially on May 4^th.  If you haven’t played at Raven…you need to make plans to do so.

Snowshoe is preparing for an action-packed summer of fun. As Snowshoe puts the finishing touches on their 32^nd ski season, they are looking forward to a fun-filled summer of mountain biking, golfing, fishing and much more.  From wine and jazz festivals to motorcycle rallies, Snowshoe’s events offer something for everyone.

Ed Galford, Vice President of Operations and 33 year Snowshoe veteran (and Harrison Ford look-alike (sorry Ed)) says, “This summer will be a busy one at Snowshoe Mountain with a variety of events and a bike program that will be the best in the east, not to mention the construction of a new high-speed quad for the 2006-2007 ski season.”

TIMBERLINE RESORT – They don’t update on Sunday, but their update from Saturday showed 28 trails open with partially groomed conditions as well.  Expect much the same for today’s closing fun.  They have some local challenge races going on and as with Snowshoe…expect some thin coverage and bare areas.

Timberline also wanted us to make sure that you were aware that they are as busy during the Summer as they are in the Winter.  If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, then put Timberline Resort in your vacation plans for a visit.  They offer over 100 miles of mountain biking trails, and are proud to be a part of the mountain bike mecca. Ride from your door at Timberline to sample many miles of classic eastern single track riding at its best. Venture to Blackwater Falls State Park and neighboring Monongahela National Forest for more! Novice riders enjoy adjacent forest roads and rail trails. Mountain bike rentals and outfitting are available at Outdoors Edge, the Timberline bike shop. Timberline’s chairlift service provides quick access to the mountain’s summit on weekends in July and August.

They also have World class to family whitewater rafting available on the Cheat River in the Cheat Canyon or Cheat Narrows . Leave after an early morning hot mountain breakfast for an easy mountain drive to the largest uncontrolled watershed in the Eastern United States . See the crystal clear water, stop for a refreshing swim and picnic lunch along the river bank. Available as low as $35.00 per person.

If you love horses – they offer horseback riding too! Horses make sight-seeing easy and fun, even if you have never been on a horse before. Ride their trails along beautiful mountain streams up to breathtaking views. Choose just a short ride to get a feeling for the experience, or choose a full day of riding, maybe stop for lunch and some great photo opportunities!

Only a few minutes drive from Timberline is trout fishing, golf and much more in the way of outdoor activities.

WISP RESORT – Wisp Resort will ski and ride the last day of the 2005-2006 ski season today on 15 trails. They too have thin coverage and bare areas. 

It wouldn’t be fair to not mention the fact that the Maryland based resort is also home to a variety of outdoor activities that probably surpass what they do during the winter.  Deep Creek Lake is the hub of most of the activities.  However Wisp Resort Golf Club was named by GolfStyles Magazine as one of the “100 Must-Play Courses of the Mid-Atlantic.” The course is designed around the natural contours at the base of Wisp ski slopes, with breathtaking views of the mountains and lake. The 6,700 yard, par 71 championship course ebbs and flows along tree-lined fairways, and past strategically placed bunkers and water hazards. The multiple tees make it enjoyable and challenging for all players. (I have plans to play this cool looking course this summer!)

Golf is probably the calmest outdoor activity that Wisp Resort offers.  If you’re looking for some heart-pounding fun…they have that too. Mountain biking is taking on a whole new attitude and altitude at Wisp Outdoors. It’s called free-riding and it’s making headlines all over the country. Wisp’s new Freeride Park will take you to higher ground with natural rocky terrain and wood ramps and bridges built throughout the wooded mountains at Wisp Resort. Need a CLEARER picture? Think winter terrain park on a mountain bike!

Wisp also offers MountainBoarding which is a combination of snowboarding and skateboarding.  There’s nothing like mountainboarding on the slopes of Wisp to challenge any level of boarder. Take Chair #1 for access to miles of mixed-trail and downhill terrain for all skill levels.  They even offer lessons!

Whitewater is really big in the rivers of the Maryland mountains – literally. Fortunately for Wisp, the world-renowned Youghiogheny and Cheat Rivers are right around the corner. Their experienced whitewater rafting partners will take you on a ride where Mother Nature really likes to kick some butt.

If you want something a bit more tame…try Fly Fishing!  Wisp Resort offers one of the best fly fishing areas in the country. Their instructors live to fly fish and can teach you how to cast or improve your fly fishing techniques. Try a two-day school that combines classroom and on-stream principles. Wisp Outdoors is an Orvis endorsed outfitter. Their season opens on Monday, April 3^rd.

Wisp Outdoors also offers a Skatepark, Paintball, Disc Golf, Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, Kayaking, Guided Horseback riding, and they have a ton of fun for families and groups as well.

So as we bring the 2005-2006 ski season to a close…stay active and we’ll see you next season!

Until Next Time…

Be sure to email photos, snow reports and comments to: [email protected]

Visit www.SkiSoutheast.com  and www.HighCountryWeather.com  for more information.