Thursday will be a damp day across most of the mountaintop of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Despite that bit of moisture, THREE ski resorts in the region remain open for those of you who have the need for speed on the slopes. Those ski areas are Sugar Mountain Resort in North Carolina, Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia and Wisp Resort in Maryland.
The latter of that ski resort trifecta is very cool to see as prior to Ron Hawkes taking over as General Manager back in mid-2019, and Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. purchasing the resort – Wisp would have been closed way prior to this date on the calendar. Snowmaking efforts prior to that was ‘when they seemed to feel like it’. That is not the case anymore.
Like all the other two ski areas that are open today, Wisp made snow during last week’s cold snap and they are rewarding their fans and season pass holders with extra days of fun. That creates higher value on the season passes and you can bet those pass holders appreciate that!
By the way, Timberline Mountain, which IS closed for today and Friday DOES plan to reopen for this weekend so they too are providing awesome value to locals and visitors alike.
A Quick Side-bar.
Did any of you guys see that Mammoth Mountain announced that they will remain open until AT LEAST the end of July!
California’s ski resorts have been hit with a historic amount of snow — and has led to a historic amount of extra time on the slopes this year.
Mammoth Mountain, which is known for its early openings and late spring closures, will remain open through “at least” July, a spokesperson for the mountain resort told Travel + Leisure. The mountain has not yet set a firm closing date and expects to see some of the best spring skiing and riding ever.
So far, the mountain has received a total of 646 inches of snowfall this season, but with even more predicted to fall, the resort expects to break its seasonal record of 668 inches.
“It’s been a historic season here at Mammoth and it looks like we’re just one storm away from breaking the all-time record… We are stoked to announce that we will be open daily for skiing and riding until AT LEAST the end of July,” the mountain wrote in an Instagram post, adding the resort “will plan to stay open as long as conditions allow. Sitting on one of the deepest base depths ever recorded at Main Lodge, it’s going to be some of the best spring skiing and riding we’ve ever seen.”
Back to Our Regularly Scheduled FirsTrax Post
I mentioned a moment ago that today marks eleven ski & snowboarding days left in the 2022-2023 season for the Southeast and mid-Atlantic resorts (within our coverage area). Timberline Mountain, which will reopen for this weekend, will probably call it quits on Sunday although there is some question that they MIGHT close during the following week to reopen for April 1st and 2nd and that is no joke.
Wisp Resort will definitely closed this Sunday after the day session. Sugar Mountain Resort has not announced any close date as yet, but we’d guess that they will remain open as long as they can.
Snowshoe Mountain honestly has the conditions to stay open through mid-April, but they have announced an April 2nd closing date for ski ops. Their lift ticket prices are more than 60% off now!
Parting Shots…
Thanks to our buddy, Bill McEntire of Outdoor, Inc from Johnson City, Tennessee who shared today’s Photo of the Day
He wrote:
A mid-week day off work. A forecast for rain. No problem, just dress properly.
No lines, no crowded slopes, from first chair to last chair, $38.
Fast chairlifts, Oma’s open.
Surface was hard early from overnight temps, then soften just right by lunch for carving.
Get it while you can. These conditions are better than no conditions.
Many Thanks,
Bill McEntire
Outdoor Inc
If you’re playing on the slopes today, drop us an email with your comments and photos to [email protected]