If you’re reading this post that means you have electricity, internet connectivity and you’re probably going to have your fill of turkey and all of the trimmings later today. Be thankful for that. I know that I am.
We are looking at a rather chilly Thanksgiving Weekend forecast that includes at least night time temperatures that should be cold enough to make snow each night beginning sometime on Friday. Snowmaking crews COULD make snow into each day for a bit until temps creep above freezing. Whether or not resorts will make enough to be able to open for Saturday sessions is the question. Based on the forecasts that we’re seeing we’d say that would be an amazing feat. A Sunday opening/reopening would be quite an accomplishment.
Monday and Tuesday’s forecast looks a little too mild to make snow even overnight in most locations of the region, however after that things look good again (at night) to make snow each night from Wednesday night through Saturday night, December 4th.
Ideally resorts would love to have some around-the-clock snowmaking opportunities but we’re not seeing that in the forecast through December 4th. It will be interesting to watch and see which resorts crank up the guns this time around and which ones still hold off on snowmaking for a more ideal cold snap. Certainly Sugar Mountain and Cataloochee Ski Area will be making snow in an effort to reopen. That’s a given.
Sugar Mountain has already stated, "We hope to reopen the slopes this weekend." on their website and they have opened their skating facility for Thanksgiving Day skating if you’re in the area. Ice skating will open on Thanksgiving Day from 10 am until 8 pm and on Friday & Saturday from 10 am until 10 pm. The rink will open on Sunday from 10 am until 8 pm.
It will be interesting to watch and see which, if any of the other resorts crank up their snowmaking ops on Friday once the temps allow. Snowshoe Mountain has been making snow at every opportunity and they are now ready to open as soon as they feel they have enough coverage. They’re close to being able to open. That could happen sometime in the next few days.
The forecasted overnight lows for Sugar and Beech Mountains are looking good beginning late on Friday and into Friday night. A 23° low is expected Friday night and then 24° Saturday night and 25° for Sunday night. However some or many resorts might be looking a little ahead to the showers that are in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday. Once those showers get out of the way things look seasonably cold again with highs in the 40s and lows in the mid 20s Wednesday through Friday of next week.
While at least cold overnight temps are hitting the West Virginia and North Carolina ski resorts – the Virginia ski areas are looking at overnight cold temps that are a little more borderline Friday through Sunday nights. The lowest overnight temp forecasted for the next several days is a 27° low for Friday and Saturday nights but then nothing past that at least through December 4th. If the forecast comes to fruition Bryce Resort could make snow Friday through Sunday nights, and we’ll just to wait and see about Massanutten and Wintergreen.
So we wait…in the meantime THINK COLD!
We received some pretty good emails in response to our Facebook comment on Wednesday and we’ll share some of those with you guys maybe on Friday. For now, we thought we’d share this "glass-half-full" story of "What I’m Thankful For". We don’t know who the author is. If someone knows please forward it on.
What I’m Thankful For
The mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
The taxes I pay because it means that I’m employed.
The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
The spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
That lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
The piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.
The lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
My huge heating bill because it means that I am warm.
Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means that I have been productive.
The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am alive.
We would add:
We’re thankful for those of you who write to critique, complain and offer opposing opinions because that means we have people who are reading what we write.
We’re thankful for our biggest fans as you guys and gals ROCK!
ONE OTHER PERSONAL THANK YOU…
Frances Miller – (SkiPink on the messageboard) – THANK YOU for sending me that uber cool bike shirt with the SkiNC and SkiSoutheast logos all over it. What a cool creation. I’ve been meaning to thank you each day since it came in a week or so ago! Thanks again. I’m going to have it framed and hung on our office walls. Very cool!
My kids will be travelling with my wife and I over the river (the Watauga River and covered bridge) and through the woods (forests actually) to my sister’s house (where their grandmother and grandfather will be) to enjoy some family love and way too much in the way of food. May your day be equally blessed.
THINK COLD AND SNOW MY FRIENDS…
We urge you to visit:
www.HighCountryWebCams.com
www.HighCountryWeather.com
www.SkiSoutheast.com
Send your comments, photos, videos and trip reports to: [email protected] or [email protected]