From 3 Days to Two Weeks Remain For Our Southeast Ski Areas.

First Trax

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We are seeing somewhat of a "countdown" of trail counts at some resorts in the region as several ski areas drop a slope or two from where we were on Thursday. Others like Appalachian and Winterplace are still 100% open…and Snowshoe Mountain reopens some terrain that was closed yesterday after some dedicated snow making.

Several resorts are on their last three days of the 2007-2008 ski season while several are skiing for one more week. (Timberline Resort is actually skiing for two more weeks as they plan to operate until April 6th.)

We have noted each resort’s closing dates within today’s update. It should be a beautiful weekend of skiing and snowboarding so get out and enjoy some really nice Spring conditions for this Easter weekend.

Speaking of Easter…I want to really say a hearty "thank you" to Brad Moretz of Appalachian Ski Mountain. Brad took time out of his hectic schedule to invite me and my family to be their guests at their Easter Sunday Brunch. If you are wanting to combine some great eats, some sweet skiing, and visit with one of the best families within the ski industry Appalachian is the place to be Sunday.

Appalachian’s Restaurant will offer an a la carte Easter Brunch featuring Carved Leg of Lamb with Rosemary-Dijon Sauce, Vanilla-Bourbon French Toast Casserole, Baked Ham with Citrus Glaze, Banana’s Foster over Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Strawberry Shortcake and many other items. For a complete Easter Brunch Menu, click HERE.

GRACIOUS that sounds delicious!

Thanks again to the Moretz family.

Here’s the "quick tour" this morning.

Appalachian Ski Mountain – 32° – Did not make snow – All 10 Trails open and open til March 30th.

Cataloochee Ski Area – 27° – Made snow – Open with 6 trails from 1-10pm. We heard from Tammy Brown yesterday and she said to remind you guys that they will be open today and Saturday – closed Easter Sunday – then open from 1-10pm next week and then they will operate for day skiing on Saturday and Sunday…and close for the season on March 30th at 4:30pm.

Sugar Mountain – Despite reporting 25-31° they have not been making snow and with the open trail count dropping from 12 to 11 to 10 over the last two mornings, it appears that even the open trails are doing a "countdown" to an earlier-than-expected closing date. They have yet to announce a closing date and while March 30th is the likely date…don’t be surprised if Sugar chooses to close Easter Sunday. (Hint:They may want to maximize profits on what has been a very strong season for them AND get a head start on some MAJOR – HUGE improvements there this summer. More later!)

VIRGINIA SKI NEWS:

Bryce Resort is open with one less trail today. They offer 5 trails and their Terrain Park for their last two days of their ski season. They will be open today and Saturday and close at the end of their session on Saturday.

Massanutten is reporting 39° and they have also reduced their open trail count by one today. They now offer 8 trails, their CMB Terrain Park and snow tubing. Massanutten had previously been announcing their closing date as Easter Sunday, however Steve Showalter and staff have decided to EXTEND their season a few days and will now remain open until TUESDAY, March 25th for skiing and they will operate their tubing hill until Saturday, March 29th. We spoke with Bobbie Willis up there and she shared, "Yea, Mike the weather is looking good enough and we have a lot of people here at the resort that are here for the weekend and many, because of Spring Break, who are staying through until Tuesday so we decided to keep the ski area open for them."

(See, we TOLD you that YOU PEOPLE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. When people come, the ski areas will stay open.)

Wintergreen Resort is open today with 4 trails and 2 lifts and will operate through Sunday and close after their day session on Easter. Be sure not to miss the annual Slide & Splash Bash tomorrow (Saturday) featuring music and great food all day and the famous Pond Skimming at 2:00 PM.

WEST VIRGINIA SKI AREA NEWS:

Canaan Valley is reporting 21° this morning and the same 16 trails that they have offered for the majority of the season. They are closing the ski ops on Easter Sunday.

Snowshoe Mountain is showing 21° as well and they made snow overnight and are the only ski area that has INCREASED their open trail count from 33 slopes on Thursday to 36 open today. They are reporting frozen granular, corduroy, and variable terrain with some thin or bare spots.

Laura Parquette writes, "Today will be a picture pefect day for spring skiing, with highs around 50 and plenty of sunshine. We may see some rain showers overnight, but snow is possible again on Saturday. It’s hard to believe there’s just over a week left in the season, but we’re cloing in a big way with the first annual Shades of Cream Champagne and Chocolate Weekend starting this afternoon. It should be a delicious weekend, and a great way for the whole family to celebrate Easter. **Be sure to get your 08-09 season passes before April 30th. All passes are now available at their lowest possible price until the end of next month."

Timberline Resort now seems to be "unopposed" in their plans to remain open until April 6th. They have 25 trails open for today and want to make it known that they have a great event taking place for their last weekend of skiing and snowboarding.

Timberline to Host Annual Local’s Cup Race

Timberline Four Seasons Resort will sponsor their traditional Local’s Cup Race April 5-6, 2008. The weekend will also offer live entertainment and food and beverage specials at the Fireside Grill and Timber’s Pub.

The Local’s Cup was started in 1991 by the Timberline race department. It is a Giant Slalom Ski Race that is open to alpine, telemark, and snowboard participants. Timberline has become recognized in the Southeast because of its altitude 4268’, north facing slopes, and its location on the Eastern Continental Divide.

According to John Lutz, Director of Programs and Events at Timberline, the Cup has been won by racers from most of the southern states as well as Timberline skiers who challenge any other racers to try to beat them. The overall winners have their name engraved on a permanent trophy. There are age categories for alpine and prizes for all ages and divisions. The prizes are donated by Tucker County businesses.

Tim Worden, Timberline’s race director, reports that the 2007-2008 racing season has been a successful and busy one at Timberline. The Southern Alpine Racing Association (SARA) races at Timberline annually. This major event attracts skiers from Pennsylvania to Georgia. SARA is a division of the United States Ski Association which holds competitive events around the United States every year. It is the winners of these events who are then selected for the US Olympic Team.

According to General Manager Tom Blanzy, the newly widened White Lightning Trail at Timberline has produced a high level of excitement among skiers from the general public as well as the racing communities. And Timberline has also created excitement by its major increases in water pumping and snow guns, the recent addition of a major trail, Twister, a newly opened surface lift at its terrain park and rapidly expanding entertainment food and beverage service.

The resort has also recently begun construction of its upscale hotel slope front on its Winterset trail, according to Tom Blanzy.

John Lutz indicated that it is unique for the southeastern ski area to have a racing trail of the caliber of White Lightning. With its new expansion high speed races can be done at Timberline. Lutz rates White Lightning as the best ski racing trail in the Southeast.

Winterplace Resort is showing 29° and the same 100% open resort that they have managed to offer most all season. 28 trails, terrain parks and tubing is offered AGAIN today. They plan to close for the season after Easter Sunday and will probably do so (fittingly) with 100% of their terrain open.

Wisp Resort is showing some snow and 32° this morning. They have 28 trails open as well as Terrain Parks and Snow Tubing. They plan to stay open through March 30th.

Until Next time…

Be sure to visit www.SkiSoutheast.com  for more news from the rest of the Southeast and Mid Atlantic ski areas!

Send your snow photos, videos, comments or emails to: [email protected]  

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